EU Rail Industry looks global at InnoTrans amid growing trade tensions

The European Rail Supply Industry has used InnoTrans 2026 to reinforce relationships with key partners around the world, focusing on strengthening international collaboration in the face of global trade shocks.

Despite the well-covered World Rail Market Study 2026 results which outlined how EU rail suppliers can only access 56% of global markets, the industry at InnoTrans showed it is ready to combat closing market access by building closer ties.

Despite this, the fundamentals of the industry are strong – growing from 2023 to 2025 at a rate of 4.8%, and expected to grow 3.2% until 2031.

This includes key talks with Trade Delegations from the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, India and Bangladesh, an MoU signed with the American Public Transport Association (APTA), which focuses on a range of strategic information sharing, such as on the issues of Public Procurement, standards and high-speed rail between the blocs.

Further to this, there was a reaffirmed commitment to the EU’s Global Gateway, which seeks to boost relations and business opportunities with Latin American, African and South-East Asian nations. The presence of many national delegations was an extremely promising development for the industry heading forward.

Closer to home, UNIFE and CER again joined forces to outline the critical need for a follow-up to Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, to keep the EU’s High Speed Rail Plan and digital transformation on track. This cooperation will continue to strengthen across other areas, as we seek further alignment.

As part of UNIFE’s InnoTrans offering, we celebrated signalling and systems management company Mipro, who were the winners of the SMEs Award 2026.

Elsewhere, the winners of the Women in Rail Awards 2026 were also celebrated, recognising individuals and organisations contributing to a more inclusive, innovative and attractive railway sector, with UNIFE delivering key findings from its Diversity and Inclusion Study on stage.

Captrain took out the Women Empowerment and Leadership Award, while the Next Generation in Women Award went to Suzanne Flynn of Irish Rail. Elsewhere, the Women in Rail Operations Award was won by Réka Németh, MAV and Cecilia Vale from the Universidade do Porto won the R&I in Railway Award.

With an estimated 175.000 visitors, UNIFE successfully connected with hundreds of future partners and our existing valued members on a range of emerging opportunities in the rail supply industry.

Quotes attributable to UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe

“Europe is a world leader in rail, and our industry is ready to strengthen that position by innovating, competing and building new business opportunities around the world. We have spent InnoTrans building deeper relationships with trusted partners, with a focus on how Europe’s technologies and rail standards can translate to helping others abroad.”

“It was clear from the many impressive international displays that Europe has a strong position to build on. We are a credible and trusted partner, recognised for our expertise and high standards, and maintaining that position requires continued investment in research and development.”

“A follow-up to Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking is therefore critical to keeping our technological edge and strengthening Europe’s position in the global rail market.”

“Our SMEs Award and Women in Rail Awards winners show that the talent, perspectives and ingenuity at our disposal is one of our greatest strengths. I am proud to see what this European industry is capable of, and InnoTrans was another great celebration of this.”