Oman and Etihad Rail Company invites prequalification bids from companies

Muscat: Oman and Etihad Rail Company, the developer and operator of the railway network connecting the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has invited prequalification bids from companies specialised in executing mega infrastructure projects in Oman to carry out civil works of the network. The company set 27 March 2023 as deadline to receive the bids of the interested companies.

Documents of the prequalification bids will be available for purchase and downloading through (https://TenderDoc.oe-rail.com).

The step aims to expand the role of the private sector in the national economy and logistics sector in particular, in addition to maximising the ICV.

After the stage of prequalification bids, the tenders will be floated for civil and construction works that are divided into three packages; the first on design and construction of railways, the second on construction of associating facilities and stations and the third on construction of various facilities related to the project.

The much-anticipated 303-km railway will primarily link Sohar to Abu Dhabi and will feature the best international safety, security, and environmental standards, to provide faster and safer passenger and freight services. The passenger trains are designed to reduce travel time from Sohar to Abu Dhabi to 1 hour 40 minutes, and from Sohar to Al Ain to 47 minutes, travelling at a maximum speed of 200 km/h.
Meanwhile, the freight trains will run up to 120 km/h.

Built on the historic and strategic relations between the two countries, this major joint venture is an extension of the longstanding collaboration of Oman Rail and Etihad Rail, who both seek to create new prospects in the infrastructure, transport, and logistics industries by connecting the two countries via rail.

The two parties aim to unlock new opportunities by strengthening commercial exchange and social cohesion, connecting key urban centers, facilitating travel between communities and providing seamless transport solutions between economic and industrial zones in Oman and the UAE.