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
UAE Minister of Energy and Industry, Suhail al Mazrouei
The ‘Ten minutes into the Future of Energy’ initiative, produced by MEED and powered by Mashreq, aims to explain and highlight the ...
READ MORE
While the focus is on key infrastructure for the event, the 170-plus international participants present both opportunities and challenges
Visitors to the UAE would be hard pressed to find anyone who ...
READ MORE
The second white paper from the UAE Retail Think Tank has recommended 26 actions to improve the resilience and sustainability of the retail industry in the GCC
Download your copy of ...
READ MORE
The centre, set up with SR300m, has been tasked with setting policy and programmes for privatisation projects and public-private partnerships, as well as training personnel
A Riyadh-based equity analyst ...
READ MORE
Abu Dhabi government holding company has been rapidly expanding its portfolio
Abu Dhabi Executive Council has issued a decree transferring the full ownership of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) from the Abu Dhabi ...
READ MORE
Covid-19’s impact on consumer spending demand and government finances may lead to greater challenges for the UAE construction sector in 2021
This article is extracted from the report 'UAE Construction After ...
READ MORE
A guide to renegotiating contracts
Legal considerations for contractors asked renegotiate construction contracts
As the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic spreads, some project paymasters are seeking to reduce their project costs ...
READ MORE
Beijing's latest flight cancellations indicate air travel resumption may be frustratingly slow
The recurring nature of the coronavirus causing Covid-19 means the Middle East must brace itself for a potentially stop-start ...
READ MORE
The alliance has extended the 9.7 million b/d output reduction ceiling for May and June to July
The Opec+ alliance has agreed to deepen its existing landmark oil production cut agreement, ...
READ MORE
Public and private sector entities are rising to a growing demand for ESG-compliant products and services
Key takeaways:
The inaugural MEED-Mashreq Business Leaders Forum on 31 January highlighted how ESG principles ...
READ MORE
Ten Minutes into the Future of Energy
Dubai’s Expo 2020 pavilions offer opportunities for contractors
Privatisation set to move up a gear this
ADQ takes control of Emirates Nuclear Energy Company
UAE construction rethinks capital spending plans
CONNECT SERIES: Renegotiating construction contracts
Aviation recovery faces stop-start risks
Opec+ agrees to deepen oil production cuts
UAE climate change minister, business leaders call for
28 November, 2017 | .By JENNIFER AGUINALDO
