Hitachi Rail has been selected to develop and certify a new External ERTMS Specific Transmission Module (STM) for the Portuguese market.

This award marks the second STM developed for the Portuguese rail system and represents an important step in supporting the country’s transition from the national CONVEL automatic train protection system to the new harmonized European Train Control System (ETCS), in line with the nationally defined ERTMS migration roadmap.

During the transition phase, trains will operate with ETCS and STM onboard, ensuring continuity of operations on lines not yet fully interoperable, while supporting the progressive deployment of ETCS Level 2 across the national network.

The development and certification of the new STM will contribute to:

The STM is being developed as an external module, designed to ensure interoperability between ETCS and the Portuguese Class B system (CONVEL), and will be made available to the market under fair, reasonable and non‑discriminatory (FRAND) conditions, in line with the applicable European regulatory framework.

The solution will be delivered through a collaborative effort involving Hitachi Rail teams in Portugal, Sweden and Italy, combining deep knowledge of the Portuguese network with Hitachi’s wider European expertise in digital signalling and onboard train control.

Hitachi Rail has played a pioneering role in the deployment of ERTMS in Europe and continues to deliver major programmes across the continent, including large‑scale network deployment in Italy and onboard ERTMS and STM programmes in Sweden.

Joaquim Santos, Hitachi Rail Portugal Country Director, said: “This contract is an important milestone for the modernisation of Portuguese rail. By developing a second STM for the national network, we are helping create a more resilient and competitive technological foundation for the sector, while supporting Infraestruturas de Portugal in delivering an efficient and future‑ready transition to ERTMS.

​”For passengers, operators and the wider public, the benefit is clear: a stronger railway system with greater interoperability, improved long‑term sustainability and readiness for the next generation of rail services.”

The STM solution developed under this contract will support certification and integration activities and contribute to strengthening interoperability along the Portuguese rail network and its connections to the wider European rail system.