BELGRADE, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese companies will supply the first two Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for the construction of Belgrade's metro system, marking a major step forward in one of Serbia's most significant infrastructure projects.
According to a press release from the City of Belgrade, the contract was signed on Friday by the representatives of POWERCHINA and China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited (CRCHI), one of the world's leading TBM manufacturers. The signing was attended by Andreja Mladenovic, director of the public utility company "Belgrade Metro and Train."
POWERCHINA will build the tunnel section of Metro Line 1, while CRCHI will deliver the machines, which weigh 2,000 tons each and have a diameter of nearly 10 meters. Delivery and installation are scheduled for April and June 2026.
"This agreement is a key step toward launching full-scale construction. The arrival of TBM machines means we are ready to begin tunnel excavation and deliver the kind of metro system Belgrade deserves," Mladenovic said, adding that CRCHI currently has over 15 TBMs operating across infrastructure projects in Europe.
The City of Belgrade noted that the partnership between POWERCHINA and CRCHI brings together global experience and advanced technology to support the construction of a modern, efficient, and safe metro system that meets the highest international standards.
