EXCLUSIVE: Abu Dhabi moves on stalled rail project
28 November, 2017 | By JENNIFER AGUINALDO
Abu Dhabi has re-engaged with stakeholders for the design and route alignment for the upcoming phases of Etihad Rail, the UAE’s federal railway network.
This includes the rail project’s second stage, for which procurement was suspended in early 2016.
“We were told Stage 2 is no longer on hold,” a source who was present at a high-level meeting held last week tells MEED.
During the meeting, senior officials at the Abu Dhabi-based Federal Transport Authority and Fujairah Municipality primarily discussed the need for minor revisions to the current route alignment for Stage 3, which will link the railway to Fujairah as well as Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah.
MEED earlier reported that the client, Etihad Rail, met with stakeholders in late 2016.
However, neither the FTA nor Etihad Rail has officially confirmed reviving the procurement process for Stage 2 so far.
MEED understands securing funding remains a key issue for the succeeding phases of the scheme.
Etihad Rail suspended the procurement for Stage 2 of the 1,200-kilometre national railway in January 2016, following a 30 per cent employee reduction.
The main package for the 628km Stage 2 has been tendered twice. Two groups were believed to have been shortlisted in the first tender. They include:
- Salini Impregilo (Italy) / Samsung C&T (South Korea) / Tristar (local)
- China Railway Construction Company (China ) / Ghantoot Group (local)
Based on the original design, Stage 2 will connect the railway to Mussafah, to the ports in Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali, and to the Saudi and Omani borders.
Etihad Rail has been operational since late 2015.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) is the offtaker for the railway’s first stage, which is used mainly to transport granulated sulphur from Shah and Habshan to the Mirfa depot in Ruwais, from where it is being exported.
Related Posts
Faced with tough market conditions, steel producers need greater transparency and a clearer voice if they are to stay strong
Q: How would you describe the structural steel market in the ...
READ MORE
Organ transplant is a procedure in which an organ or part of it is removed from a donor’s body and transplanted/implanted into a recipient. It is done to replace a ...
READ MORE
Dental health is integral to the general health and well-being of the population. Certain lifestyle choices affect dental health such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol use, and poor dietary choices ...
READ MORE
Localisation will create barriers to entry and move the market away from awarding work to lowest priced bidders
Abu Dhabi’s move to introduce the in-country value (ICV) programme into sectors outside ...
READ MORE
Contractors have submitted offers for packages B and C of stage 2
Etihad Rail is evaluating bids from contractors for two more construction packages on the UAE’s 1,200-kilometre federal railway.
Firms have submitted bids ...
READ MORE
Middle East industry risks increase as Covid-19 disease goes global
The spread of the new coronavirus, which causes the Covid-19 illness, has affected almost 91,000 people in 73 countries as of ...
READ MORE
The UAE's ambitious Vision 2021 strategy provides an opportunity for the construction industry to harness the latest digital and technological innovations that are transforming project delivery around the world.
These innovations ...
READ MORE
Firms need to rethink their approach to winning work as opportunities dry up
The UAE’s contracting community was acutely affected by low liquidity in 2019. Opportunities to win new work are ...
READ MORE
Chinese investors and contractors already have an active presence in both markets
A Chinese official has said that Beijing will develop more projects in the UAE and Algeria as it commits ...
READ MORE
The Covid-19 pandemic could provide greater scope for sovereign wealth funds to help boost regional economies starved of liquidity
US Treasury data released in May painted a dismal scene for Middle ...
READ MORE
MARKET TALK: Steel experts discuss competition
Organ Transplant in the GCC; A Snapshot
Overview of Dental Care Services in the UAE
In-country value could positively transform construction in the
Etihad Rail evaluates construction bids
Coronavirus heightens economic vulnerability
UAE contractors should focus on what they can
China to develop more projects in UAE and
Sovereign funds feel the pressure
28 November, 2017 | .By JENNIFER AGUINALDO
