WAM Abu Dhabi, 29th July 2012 (WAM): Etihad Rail - the master developer and operator of the UAE's national railway network - issued invitations to tender earlier this month for the first three contracts in the development of Stage Two of the rail network. The three invitations to tender, which were issued to all pre-qualified companies, are for contracts covering the design and build of new lines between Ruwais and Ghweifat (137km), Liwa Junction and Al Ain (190km), as well as for the railway integration and systems contract (covering signalling, communications and commissioning) for the Stage Two network.

The invitation to tender comes on the back of the workshop hosted by Etihad Rail which took place this past June, and at which applicants to the pre-qualification process were advised on the imminent issuance of the three packages, followed by the issuance of the remaining Stage Two tenders over the next few months.

Stage Two represents a significant component of the national rail network, in both scale and scope, as it will further connect industrial and urban areas, and will see the railway connect with the planned GCC network - linking with Saudi Arabia at Ghweifat and Oman at Al Ain. Construction of Stage Two is scheduled to begin early next year, following the award of tendered contracts.

The tendering of the first contracts for Stage Two follows the commencement earlier this year of construction works near Mirfa in the Western Region for Stage One of the network. Stage One of the network is being developed in partnership with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), who will adopt rail as the main means for transporting granulated sulphur from Shah and Habshan to the port of Ruwais for export.

WAM/TF