3 Consortiums have been Shortlisted by Oman Rail

Three consortiums have been shortlisted by Oman Rail for the multibillion-dollar Segment One of the national rail network, the 207-km stretch from Sohar Port to Buraimi.

According to the Oman Observer, a contract is likely to be awarded in the fourth quarter of this year, with construction work expected to begin by year-end.

Three of the five consortiums on Oman Rail’s shortlist for the design-and-build contract have been asked to extend the validity of their bid bonds to October this year, the Oman newspaper reports, suggesting they will remain in contention for the keenly contested contract.

These three consortiums, all joint ventures, are Germany’s Porr Bau with partners Yuksel Insaat (Turkey), Sarooj Construction Company (Oman) and Daewoo E&C (Korea); Saipem JV comprising Rizzani De Eccher and Dogus Insaat and a joint venture led by Salini Impregilo.

The design-and-build contract for Segment One covers the design, supply, installation, construction and completion of works over three distinct sections – Sector 1A, 1B and 1C. The contract’s exact value has not been disclosed, but is expected to be worth several billion dollars.

Sector 1A covers a distance of 127 km connecting the station at Sohar to the Oman-UAE border at Al Buraimi and Khatmat Milahah, while Sector 1B is a 34-km spur line that departs from Sector 1A and ends at Buraimi station. Sector 1C is 38-km spur line connecting the Port of Sohar to Sector 1A.

Oman Rail is also planning to develop a number of railway facilities including stations, freight yards, wayside maintenance bases, and maintenance depots. A further 8-km of track will be constructed to connect junctions at Sector 1A to 1B and 1C, reports Oman Observer.

Andre Toet, the CEO of Sohar Port & Freezone says that the development of the Oman railway will have a major impact on the growth of Sohar Port.

“The GCC rail network will be a real game changer in logistics, where Oman could benefit greatly and we’re very happy that we’ll be in the first stretch from Sohar to Al Ain and then from Al Ain to Abu Dhabi,” he told Maritime & Ports Middle East.

“That really could boost the growth of the port by pushing cargo upwards. The rail link will have the greatest impact on container traffic, the ro-ro business and dry bulk – metals like iron ore pellets,” he added.

Source: Arabiansupplychain