UAE’s rail operator launches the construction works of Package B of Stage Two of the network, including a sleeper factory at Saih Sheib, during a virtual site visit
The Etihad Rail Board of Directors recently held a remote meeting chaired by HE Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Chairman of Etihad Rail.
Following the digital meet, the Board confirmed the award of a contract worth AED 846mn (US$ 231mn) for the construction of the central Operation and Maintenance (O&M) facility at Al Faya, Abu Dhabi.
During the meeting, Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohammed also carried out a virtual visit of the construction site in Saih Sheib region, and launched the civil works on Package B of Stage Two of the UAE’s national railway network project, which is developed and operated by Etihad Rail.
Package B extends over 216 km and includes the construction of a second concrete railway sleeper factory and rail routes to Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), Khalifa Port, and the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD).
In addition, the Etihad Rail Chairman discussed a mechanism to ensure operational continuity of the company’s fleet in Stage One, which daily transports granulated sulphur from sources at Shah and Habshan to Ruwais, according to approved plans as part of the company’s commitment to provide reliable, safe, and fast services.
Review of strategic plans
Sheikh Theyab also reviewed the performance report on the execution of Etihad Rail’s strategic plans and the company’s operations to date, in addition to its future programmes and initiatives and the latest developments of Stage Two of the national rail network, which runs from Ghuweifat on the UAE’s border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah and Khorfakkan on the east coast.
Sheikh Theyab stressed the importance of continuing to implement the strategic plans, future visions, and operational work of the UAE’s national railway network project to continue the implementation of strategic projects as per the approved plans, in order to sustain national achievements.
The Etihad Rail Chairman also highlighted the necessity to execute precautionary and preventive measures to ensure business continuity while supporting the efficient dealing with changes, thereby maintaining performance and productivity throughout the various sectors of the company.
Etihad Rail board members confirmed that the O&M facility in Al Faya contract, valued at AED 864m (US$ 231mn), had been awarded to a joint venture led by VINCI Construction France, in line with the company’s future strategy to provide a railway network that supports and strengthens the long-term growth of the national economy.
Largest facility on the network
The facility will be the largest and the most important facility on the network; it will be responsible for warehousing, installations, operations, and the maintenance of locomotives and wagons. The facility will also include an administrative building to control the operations of the whole network.
Etihad Rail has now awarded all civil works and construction contracts for Stage Two of the national railway network. The company has also launched construction on Package A of Stage Two, signed a contract for the construction of a series of Freight Facilities centres, and awarded a contract for the supply of locomotives to expand the company’s fleet to 45.
