Market Overview
Cuba operates a national rail network connecting Havana to Santiago de Cuba and other major cities, managed by Ferrocarriles de Cuba (FC). The network has suffered severe deterioration due to decades of underinvestment, economic crisis, and the US trade embargo, which restricts access to spare parts and modern technology. A Chinese-financed rolling stock renewal programme delivered new diesel locomotives and passenger carriages in recent years. Havana is studying urban rail options, including a metro system, to address transport challenges in the capital. Cuba's rail sector represents a significant rehabilitation opportunity if political and economic conditions allow greater foreign investment. Russian, Chinese, and European companies have periodically engaged with Cuban rail authorities. Rail remains important for sugar cane transport in rural areas and as a passenger mode for Cubans who cannot afford air travel.