On April 3, 2024, amidst the cheers at the construction site of the Algiers Metro Line 1 Extension Line Project in Algeria, Africa, the earth pressure balance TBM manufactured by China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd. under CRHIC broke through the wall, marking the full completion of the Subway Line 1 Extension Line Project. The TBM is the first of its kind exported to Africa by China.

To adapt to the geological conditions of the project and the customer’s demand, the TBM developed by China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd. is equipped with a cutter head with the diameter being 10.5m, totaling 91 meters in length and 1,800 tons in weight. The TBM system is equipped with an active articulation system and has a horizontal turning capacity of 180 meters, which allows it to meet the demands of deviation and directional correction during tunneling. The equipment is designed to achieve a maximum daily drilling footage of 30 meters and a monthly maximum of 600 meters.