01 April 2019

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE national railway, has awarded a Dh1.5-billion ($408 million) contract for Package A of Stage Two of the UAE National Rail Network to a joint venture of China State Construction Engineering Corporation and Korea’s SK Engineering and Construction (SK E&C).

Package A of Stage Two connects Ruwais in Abu Dhabi’s western region with Ghuweifat on the Saudi border. The scope of work includes all design and build, civil and track works of the 139-km long rail network line, said Etihad Rail. 

Stage Two, when complete, will run for 605 km from Ghuweifat to the Port of Fujairah, it stated.

The awarding of the contract was made at the Etihad Rail board meeting held in the presence of chairman Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also a member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

The deals were signed by Etihad Rail CEO Shadi Malak along with China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East president and CEO Yu Tao and SK E&C vice president Hyuntae Nam.

Package A will focus on the design and construction of rail infrastructure, including earthworks, bridges, tunnels, animal crossing, track-laying, and linking with Stage One of the network. The entire route will feature standard-gauge double track that will be built using 1.3 million tonnes of ballast, over 400,000 concrete sleepers, and 33,000 tonnes of iron rail.

When complete, the 1,200-km-long Etihad Rail project will link the UAE’s principal centres of industry, manufacturing, production, population, and import/export points, forming an integral part of the GCC-wide railway network.

Sheikh Theyab expressed his delight at the rapid progress being made on the project, referring to the contract announcement as a major milestone passed in the organisation’s mission to create the UAE’s modern, sustainable and cost-efficient national railway.

“With the commencement of this first phase of Stage Two, we are reaching a major turning point in the transportation sector in the UAE and GCC,” remarked the top official.

Etihad Rail is working towards awarding contracts for the rest of Stage Two over the coming months, he added.  

• Museum of the Future solar plant deal inked
• China-Korea JV secures $408m Etihad Rail deal
• Emaar set to launch mega Walk of Fame
• ASTM launches first overseas chapter in UAE
• $163bn spend on renewables
• Panel installation at metro terminal completed
• Dubai Route 2020 track work 80pc complete
• $408m set for ‘new generation’ schools
• Steel arch bridge sets Guinness record
• France throws ‘light’ on Expo pavilion design
• Dubai museum Phase One opens
• Abu Dhabi’s Qasr Al Watan is inaugurated
• $1.6bn N Emirates projects unveiled
• Direct Access opens office

Tags

Regional News Saudi Focus UAE Focus Events Legally Bound Dubai Air-Conditioning GC Expo Loaders Flooring Just Out Real Estate Contractors Interiors Manufacturers

Gulf Construction is the undisputed leading trade journal for the building and construction industries of Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states. The magazine provides editorial coverage on a wide range of topics which are of interest to industry professionals. In addition, regular features highlight technological developments within specific industry fields. Launched 40 years ago, the magazine has established an enviable reputation as an authoritative, respected journal with unmatched coverage of the Gulf region. Gulf Construction is essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the region’s building and construction industry.