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
The construction supply chain can greatly benefit from the application of supply chain management
As the oil economies of the Gulf continue their rapid transition from growth driven by state-backed capital ...
READ MORE
Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada) has close to $4bn projects in pre-execution phase including these bridge schemes
Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada) expects to tender two major bridge schemes in ...
READ MORE
The UAE is seeing muted growth in 2017, estimated at less than 1.5 per cent, as low oil prices and production cuts weigh on the economy.
The non-hydrocarbons sector is faring ...
READ MORE
How the steps taken to get construction through the Covid-19 crisis will lay the foundations for a better industry post crisis
Construction companies in the UAE and across the GCC are ...
READ MORE
The infrastructure financing gap has grown even wider in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic
The G20/OECD Taskforce on Long-term Investment has said infrastructure investment will help alleviate the impact of ...
READ MORE
This is article is the first in a series from the MEED-Mashreq Healthcare Business Leaders Forum held on 23 February in Dubai. The event saw leading industry experts gather to ...
READ MORE
Medium-term growth prospects in the GCC remain subdued amid relatively low oil prices and geopolitical risks, according to a report by the Washington-based IMF issued on 14 December.
The IMF says ...
READ MORE
PPP projects offer opportunities for the region to transition away from hydrocarbons dependence if ESG goals are clearly defined and prioritised
The sheer scale of the region's planned infrastructure, utility, industrial ...
READ MORE
The signing of a framework agreement between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) covering potential offshore oil and sour gas fields is the latest ...
READ MORE
Adnoc has been able to close the transaction ahead of the expected closing date in the last quarter of this year
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has announced it has ...
READ MORE
Removing barriers in the value chain
EXCLUSIVE: Abu Dhabi to tender two bridges
A disappointing year for growth in the UAE
CONNECT SERIES: Keeping construction moving through Covid-19
Taskforce demands post-Covid infrastructure spend
UAE healthcare sector responds to digital call
IMF says economic growth in GCC to remain
Private sector participation vital for sustainable development
China strengthens role in region’s energy sector
Abu Dhabi closes Adnoc Oil Pipelines infrastructure deal
28 November, 2017 | .By JENNIFER AGUINALDO