Croatia Offers Opportunities for Tram and Railway Infrastructure

Croatia is increasingly developing into an attractive market for investments in tram and railway infrastructure. Extensive modernization programs, supported by EU funding, are creating a dynamic environment for innovative transport technologies.By Achim Schlink

To fully leverage this potential, HANNING & KAHL has appointed MA3X Savjetovanje d.o.o. from Zagreb as its new representative in Croatia. The company has many years of experience in the railway sector and combines local market knowledge with international expertise. Under the leadership of Dario Plichta, who has worked in the railway industry for more than 15 years, MA3X offers technical consulting, project management, and support for the implementation of modern infrastructure solutions.

The Croatian tram market currently focuses on two cities. In Zagreb, the municipal company ZET (Zagrebački električni tramvaj) operates the country’s largest tram network, with more than 110 kilometers of track. In Osijek, GPP (Gradski prijevoz putnika) is responsible for operating a smaller but historically significant network. Both cities are planning extensive modernization and investment in vehicles and infrastructure – a promising environment for suppliers of innovative technologies.

The railway sector is also undergoing renewal. The national railway company HŽ (Hrvatske željeznice) is divided into three divisions: HŽ Infrastruktura, responsible for the rail network, signalling, and electrification; HŽ Putnički prijevoz for passenger transport; and HŽ Cargo for freight. The Croatian railway network covers around 2,600 kilometers, the majority of which is single-track. Numerous projects for electrification, modernization of interlocking and signalling systems, and line upgrades are currently being implemented or planned. By 2035, approximately €6 billion will be invested in the revitalization and modernization of around 1,000 kilometers of track – a key step toward sustainably strengthening the national rail system.

With its new representative MA3X Savjetovanje d.o.o., HANNING & KAHL has gained a strong local partner. Through its technical expertise, local network, and in-depth market knowledge, MA3X provides the ideal foundation for successfully tapping into opportunities in the Croatian infrastructure market. They are currently implementing their first joint project: the modernization of arrival and departure areas of the marshalling yards of HŽ in Zagreb.A total of 52 H715 series point machines are needed for this project. This marks an important step toward modernizing public transport and promoting sustainable mobility in Croatia. Together, they plan to continue implementing projects that further enhance public transport and support the development of sustainable mobility across the country.