Contract award imminent for Etihad high-speed rail PMC
9 February 2026
The UAE’s Etihad Rail is preparing to finalise a contract covering project management consultancy (PMC) services for the civil works and station packages of the high-speed railway (HSR) line that will connect Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
MEED understands that at least five groups submitted their best and final offers in late January.
The contract will likely be finalised within a couple of weeks.
Last week, MEED exclusively reported that Etihad Rail had awarded multibillion-dollar design-and-build contracts for the civil works and station packages of the HSR line connecting the two cities.
MEED understands that the overall project is worth more than $8bn.
The contract for the construction of the Abu Dhabi side of the railway was awarded to a consortium comprising Abu Dhabi’s National Projects Construction (NPC), Trojan Tunnelling, Turkiye’s Kalyon and Beijing-headquartered China State Construction Engineering Corporation.
The other deal, comprising the construction of the Dubai side of the railway, was awarded to a consortium of India’s Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Beijing-based China Harbour Engineering Company and local firm Wade Adams.
US-based Jacobs is the designer for the NPC group. French engineering firm Egis and Singapore’s Surbana Jurong are the designers for the L&T-led consortium.
The design speed of trains running on the UAE’s HSR network will be 350 kilometres an hour (km/h), and the operating speed will be 320km/h.
The proposed HSR programme will be constructed in four phases, gradually adding further connectivity to other areas within the UAE.
The first phase involves constructing a railway line connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which is expected to be operational by 2030.
The second phase will develop an inner‑city railway network with 10 stations within the city of Abu Dhabi.
The third phase of the railway network involves constructing a connection between Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain.
The fourth phase involves developing an inter-emirate connection between Dubai and Sharjah.
The 150km first phase of the HSR will stretch from the Al-Zahiyah area of Abu Dhabi to Al-Jaddaf in Dubai.
The project’s civil works have been split into two packages – Abu Dhabi and Dubai – comprising four sections. The scope of these sections includes:
- Phase 1A: Al-Zahiyah to Yas Island (23.5km)
- Phase 1B: Yas Island to the border of Abu Dhabi/Dubai (64.2km)
- Phase 1C: Abu Dhabi/Dubai border to Al-Jaddaf (52.1km)
- Phase 1D: Abu Dhabi airport delta junction and connection with Abu Dhabi airport station (9.2km)
The rail line will have five stations: Al-Zahiyah (ADT), Saadiyat Island (ADS), Yas Island (YAS), Abu Dhabi International airport (AUH) and Al-Jaddaf (DJD).
The ADT, AUH and DJD stations will be underground, while ADS will be elevated and YAS will be at grade.
The overall construction package also includes provisions for rolling stock, railway systems and two maintenance depots.
The high-speed project will slash journey times between the UAE’s two largest cities and economic centres. The journey time between the YAS and DJD stations will be 30 minutes.
Spanish engineering firms Sener and Ineco are the project’s engineering consultants.
.gif){kind=spacer}
Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.
Exclusive from Meed
-
Safety and security matters3 April 2026
-
Saudi forecast remains one of growth3 April 2026
-
-
-
Oman’s Nama PWP tenders consultancy contract3 April 2026
All of this is only 1% of what MEED.com has to offer
Subscribe now and unlock all the 153,671 articles on MEED.com
- All the latest news, data, and market intelligence across MENA at your fingerprints
- First-hand updates and inside information on projects, clients and competitors that matter to you
- 20 years' archive of information, data, and news for you to access at your convenience
- Strategize to succeed and minimise risks with timely analysis of current and future market trends
Related Articles
-
Safety and security matters
3 April 2026
Commentary
Colin Foreman
EditorRead the April issue of MEED Business Review
Employment and investment opportunities in a low or no-tax environment have been key attractions for people and businesses located in the GCC for decades. Another crucial factor has been safety and security.
That reputation has been tested by the missile and drone attacks that began on 28 February. Whether the GCC’s safe haven status has been damaged depends on perspective.
For some, the fact that attacks occurred fundamentally changes how the region is viewed. For others, the ability to absorb a serious shock, respond quickly, and keep daily life and businesses functioning demonstrates resilience.Any assessment of safety is also relative. Many people and businesses that relocate in the GCC do so not only for opportunity, but because of dissatisfaction elsewhere. Common reasons include limited economic prospects, high taxation, distrust in political leadership and concerns about personal safety. Even with the recent conflict, the GCC may still compare favourably for those considering these factors.
There is no doubt that missile and drone attacks are extremely dangerous, and the fear of further incidents can linger. Even if attacks are infrequent, the uncertainty matters. It can influence personal decisions, travel advice, and the cost of insurance and risk management. These perceptions will shape the region’s attractiveness.
Safety concerns vary. In many parts of the world, higher levels of crime are an everyday worry for residents and businesses. For some, the GCC may still feel like the better option, provided the current tensions do not become the new normal.
How this question is answered will play an important role in how the region’s economies perform in the period ahead. If confidence returns quickly and the risk is seen as contained and manageable, investment and hiring will likely rebound faster than many expect. If uncertainty persists or escalates, the road to recovery will be a long one.
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFEconomic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf economies under fire> GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift> MARKET FOCUS: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift> QATAR LNG: Qatar’s new $8bn investment heats up global LNG race> LEADERSHIP: Shaping the future of passenger rail in the Middle EastTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16250747/main.gif -
Saudi forecast remains one of growth
3 April 2026
MEED’s April 2026 report on Saudi Arabia includes:
> COMMENT: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift
> GVT &: ECONOMY: Riyadh navigates a changed landscape
> BANKING: Testing times for Saudi banks
> UPSTREAM: Offshore oil and gas projects to dominate Aramco capex in 2026
> DOWNSTREAM: Saudi downstream projects market enters lean period
> POWER: Wind power gathers pace in Saudi Arabia
> WATER: Sharakat plan signals next phase of Saudi water expansion
> CONSTRUCTION: Saudi construction enters a period of strategic readjustment
> TRANSPORT: Rail expansion powers Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure pushTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16250096/main.gif -
Dubai seeks consultants for Al-Khawaneej stormwater project
3 April 2026
Dubai Municipality has issued a consultancy tender to assess and upgrade the stormwater drainage system serving the Al-Khawaneej First residential district in northeastern Dubai.
The project, listed as TF-22-E1, covers the upgrading and rehabilitation of the stormwater system in the area. The tender has been issued by the municipality’s Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department.
The bid submission deadline is 23 April.
The works form part of Dubai’s wider efforts to strengthen flood resilience and support sustainable urban infrastructure development.
Two separate consultancy tenders were issued in March as part of a broader review of the emirate’s water and wastewater infrastructure to support future population growth.
One involves a study to develop a sustainable urban drainage systems strategy across the emirate. The other covers a review of the emirate’s sewage treatment and recycled water distribution strategy.
The Al-Khawaneej First consultancy role will include data collection, site investigations and an assessment of existing drainage conditions.
Additionally, the consultant will be required to identify flooding hotspots and evaluate the performance of the current system.
The project covers the preparation of preliminary and detailed designs, tender documents and construction packages as well as construction supervision through to project handover.
The municipality added that integrated drainage solutions are to be developed as part of the package, including sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and nature-based approaches to address current and future stormwater demand.
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFEconomic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf economies under fire> GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift> MARKET FOCUS: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift> QATAR LNG: Qatar’s new $8bn investment heats up global LNG race> LEADERSHIP: Shaping the future of passenger rail in the Middle EastTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16249098/main.jpg -
Developer plans two residential schemes in Saudi Arabia
3 April 2026
Saudi developer Alramz Real Estate is planning two new residential developments in Jeddah and Riyadh.
In a Tadawul filing on 31 March, Alramz said it had signed an agreement with Oud Capital to establish a sharia-compliant real estate investment fund to develop the Alramz Front project in Jeddah’s Al-Firdous district.
The fund is targeting approximately SR650m ($173m), with Alramz committing about SR81.6m. The company will also contribute land totalling around 47,800 square metres, valued at SR215m, as an in-kind contribution.
The project is expected to deliver nearly 900 residential units. Alramz will serve as developer and exclusive marketer under a development contract valued at about SR269m.
Separately, Alramz said it had acquired mixed-use plots in Riyadh’s Al-Malqa district for SR94.6m. The 8,600 sq m site will be developed into a residential scheme comprising approximately 135 apartments.
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFEconomic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf economies under fire> GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift> MARKET FOCUS: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift> QATAR LNG: Qatar’s new $8bn investment heats up global LNG race> LEADERSHIP: Shaping the future of passenger rail in the Middle EastTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16249064/main.jpg -
Oman’s Nama PWP tenders consultancy contract
3 April 2026
Oman’s Nama Power & Water Procurement Company (Nama PWP) has opened a tender for the provision of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting consultancy services.
The tender seeks proposals from interested parties to support the utility in assessing its ESG maturity and identifying gaps against the Oman Investment Authority’s ESG guidelines.
The deadline for firms to submit offers is 10 May.
According to the tender notice, the selected consultant will develop the required ESG policies, strategy, report and implementation roadmap.
Nama PWP, part of Nama Group, said the scope of work is intended to support the company’s wider ESG framework as it continues to procure new power and water capacity in Oman.
The utility also recently opened a tender seeking proposals from qualified law firms to provide legal consultancy services in Oman.
The selected firms will be included on a panel and engaged on an as-needed basis. They will deliver legal advisory services across a range of matters relevant to Nama PWP’s business.
The deadline for firms to submit offers is 21 April.
In March, the state utility released its latest seven-year plan outlining the rapid expansion of solar and wind projects.
It expects the renewable energy share of Oman’s power generation mix to increase steadily across the period, reaching 16% in 2028 and 21% in 2029 before rising to 30% in 2030. This compares to about 4% in 2024.
The pipeline includes a series of large-scale independent power projects scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2031.
Solar photovoltaic capacity in the sultanate is projected to rise from 1.54GW in 2024 to 23.26GW by 2031. Wind capacity is expected to grow from 120MW to 6.75GW,
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFEconomic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf economies under fire> GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift> MARKET FOCUS: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift> QATAR LNG: Qatar’s new $8bn investment heats up global LNG race> LEADERSHIP: Shaping the future of passenger rail in the Middle EastTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16249021/main.jpg