meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

GCC’s ambitious railway project gains momentum

17 July 2023

 

Register for MEED's guest programme 

The GCC railway project has continued to make progress in 2023. After an official announcement by the GCC secretariat in January 2021 that effectively restarted the project, a string of recent moves and statements have meant all six members of the bloc have either declared or signalled their plans for their sections of the rail network.

In early July, officials from Bahrain's Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications met with a delegation from the GCC Rail Authority led by Nasser Hamad al-Qahtani and Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Samaani.

The two sides discussed the railway connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain across the proposed King Hamad Causeway and reviewed the progress of the new crossing. The meeting also included the exchange of information regarding engineering designs and contact points between the two countries.

The railway crossing the King Hamad Causeway will extend inland by another 21 kilometres into Saudi Arabia and 24km into Bahrain. It is understood the railway route extending inland into Bahrain will eventually link up with the planned GCC railway network.

In November 2019, the Netherlands' KPMG, US-based Aecom and Germany-headquartered CMS were appointed as advisers for the project.

Kuwait advances

The meeting between the two countries follows developments elsewhere in the GCC. In May, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud authorised the minister of transport and logistics services as his representative to discuss a draft agreement with Kuwait regarding a rail link connecting the two countries.

MEED reported in early May that Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and the Saudi Public Transport Authority had appointed France’s Systra to complete the feasibility study for a high-speed rail link connecting the kingdom and Kuwait.

Bid submission is currently in progress for study and detailed design services for the rolling stock and civil works packages 1 and 2.

Kuwait is also pushing ahead with the Kuwait National Rail Road (KNRR) project. The scheme is seen as a significant component of the country's contribution to the GCC railway. The project owner, Kuwait’s Public Authority for Roads and Land Transportation (Part), through the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (Kapp), issued a request for proposals (RFP) in January this year. The original closing date was 21 February and the deadline was then extended to 11 July.

Oman links

Progress is also being made on the railway linking the UAE and Oman. In September 2022, the two countries established Oman-Etihad Rail Company to implement the 303-kilometre network. The project received a further boost after Oman-Etihad Rail Company inked a strategic agreement with Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Company to support its development.

The prequalification process is underway for the UAE Civil Package A, Oman Civil Package B and Oman Civil Package C projects, and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2023. Contractors based in the UAE, Oman, Turkiye, Greece, India and China have started seeking to qualify for the packages on the $3bn rail connection.

“The prequalification process is currently under way, and we hope to award [the project] on schedule as planned,” said UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Oman-Etihad Rail Company chairman of the board of directors, Suhail Mohamed Faraj al-Mazrouei, in an interview with MEED.

Oman-Etihad Rail Company also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Brazilian mining company Vale to explore using rail to transport iron ore and its derivatives between Oman and the UAE. Railways could connect Vale’s industrial complex in Oman’s Sohar Port and Freezone and its planned development, known as a Mega Hub, at Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (Kezad).

Oman is also collaborating with Saudi Arabia for the establishment of a railway link connecting Duqm with Riyadh through the Ibri border. The railway line aims to serve the upcoming economic zone that the two countries are planning to build in the Al-Dhahirah area.

Qatar connection

Meanwhile, GCC railway projects have been progressing with renewed impetus following the Al-Ula declaration signed by the six member states in January 2021. Under the declaration, Saudi Arabia and Qatar agreed to restore their diplomatic ties and restart the rail link connecting the two countries.

In July 2021, Systra was selected to conduct a feasibility study on the proposed high-speed rail line connecting Riyadh and Doha, which could use maglev technology. The study works are still ongoing on the project. The railway line could be about 550 kilometres long. As well as maglev, the study will also evaluate using other high-speed rail technologies.

The restoration of diplomatic ties between Qatar and Bahrain in mid-April will improve the prospects of the $4bn Qatar-Bahrain Causeway. In March 2022, Manama called for work to restart on the causeway, which is a key link for the GCC rail network.

Rail authority

GCC leaders approved the establishment of the GCC Rail Authority in January 2022. The company was entrusted with the overall policymaking and coordination among member states to ensure smooth delivery and operations of the overall scheme.

With high project activity levels, governments in spending mode, and the agreements under the Al-Ula declaration, the latest efforts to restart the GCC railway project may make more progress than previous attempts. If the railway is finally completed, it could prove transformative for a region that feels connected to the world but divided between its constituent parts.

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11013015/main.gif
Yasir Iqbal

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Firms prepare bids for NWC sewage treatment package 14

    4 September 2026

     

    At least three contractors are preparing to make offers for package 14 of Saudi Arabia’s long-term operations and maintenance (LTOM) sewage treatment programme, according to sources.

    Known as Eastern A Cluster (LTOM14), the package was tendered by the state-owned National Water Company (NWC) in April, with a bid submission deadline of 30 September.

    The contract covers the upgrade of six existing sewage treatment plants (STPs), with a capacity expansion of 30,000 cubic metres a day (cm/d) at the Al-Jarodia STP.

    This will increase total treatment capacity from about 263,000 cm/d to approximately 293,000 cm/d, with an estimated cost of $180m.

    According to sources, the firms preparing to submit bids include:

    • Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies (Saudi Arabia)
    • Civil Works Company (Saudi Arabia)
    • Miahona (Saudi Arabia)

    The latest phase follows the formal signing of a $347m contract between NWC and a Saudi-Chinese consortium for Northern Cluster Sewage Treatment Plants Package 10 (LTOM10) on 2 September.

    The same consortium led by United Water (China) is not planning to bid for LTOM14 and is expected to formally sign a contract for LTOM11 in the coming months, a source said.

    In April, MEED exclusively reported that the group had won the contract for package 11, which will have a combined capacity of about 440,000 cm/d.

    It is also understood that Beijing Enterprises, a bidder for North Western B Cluster (LTOM12), is not preparing to bid for package 14.

    In the meantime, the contract for LTOM12 is moving towards award, with bids currently under evaluation.

    The contract covers the construction and upgrade of seven STPs with a combined capacity of about 162,000 cm/d. As previously reported, NWC opened financial bids for the project in April.

    Future phases

    In total, the LTOM programme comprises 19 packages split into two phases. In May 2024, NWC announced it had awarded $2.5bn-worth of contracts in the first phase. Phase two of the programme includes 10 packages covering 117 treatment plants.

    In April, MEED exclusively reported that NWC had held several discussions regarding changes in scope details and potential expansions to upcoming projects. This involved “grouping some upcoming projects”.

    The request for proposals for LTOM13 was subsequently put on hold and it is now understood that this tender has likely been merged with other packages in the programme.

    According to a source, Eastern B Cluster (LTOM15) has also been cancelled and has likely been merged. LTOM15 had comprised two STPs with a total capacity of 152,000 cm/d.

    The next contract to be tendered will be Central Cluster (LTOM16), potentially in November, a source added.

    Under the original scope, LTOM16 covers the construction of 14 STPs with a total capacity of 153,000 cm/d.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19358188/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Egyptian contractor wins Abu Dhabi Ramhan Island deal

    4 September 2026

    Egypt-headquartered contractor Rowad Modern Engineering has been awarded the main works contract for the Marina Apartments project on Ramhan Island, Abu Dhabi.

    The contract was awarded by the local firm Eagle Hills, which is led by Mohamed Alabbar, the founder and chairman of Emaar Properties.

    Rowad’s scope includes structural and architectural works, finishing, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

    The company will also deliver infrastructure works, including utility connections to external networks, testing and commissioning.

    The development comprises two residential towers offering 187 residential units.

    The works will be carried out under the consultancy supervision of local engineering firm Mirage Leisure & Development.

    The latest contract award follows Eagle Hills awarding the local firm Arabian Construction Company (ACC) an estimated AED2.5bn ($680m) construction contract to build about 500 villas at the Ramhan Island development, as reported by MEED previously.

    Located off the coast of Abu Dhabi, the Ramhan Island development spans an area of over 4 million square metres.

    The overall development includes the construction of 1,800 villas, 900 residences, a hotel and retail facilities.

    Mohamed Alabbar launched the Ramhan Island development in May 2024.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19355437/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Dubai sets deadline for Jebel Ali waste-to-energy PPP

    4 September 2026

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Dubai Municipality has set a 27 September deadline for developers to submit expressions of interest (EOIs) for its planned Jebel Ali waste-to-energy (WTE) public-private partnership (PPP), according to a source.

    The greenfield facility is planned to treat up to 6,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste a day.

    The municipality is seeking international and local developers to develop, finance and operate the facility. It is planning to prequalify developers later this year before issuing a request for proposals (RFP) in the first quarter of next year, a source said.

    The Jebel Ali facility is intended to support Dubai’s waste-management strategy and its target of reducing reliance on landfill.

    Dubai Municipality is being advised by a team led by Abu Dhabi’s Tribe Infrastructure Group, with UK-headquartered Ashurst and Germany’s Fichtner also involved.

    It was confirmed to MEED that the project is separate from the planned second phase of the Warsan WTE facility, for which Dubai Municipality issued a consultancy tender in February.

    That facility will be located in Warsan 2, next to the Al-Aweer sewage treatment plant. The expansion is expected to increase waste-conversion capacity at the existing Warsan site with an estimated budget of $500m. The consultancy contract has a duration of six years.

    The original Warsan WTE plant, Dubai’s first major WTE public-private partnership (PPP) project, reached full commercial operations in 2024.

    Located in the Warsan area, the AED4bn ($1.1bn) facility treats 1.9 million tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, generating up to 220MW of thermal energy that is fed into the local grid.

    In February 2023, state utility Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) and Dubai Waste Management Company signed the power-purchase agreement (PPA) for the project.

    Dubai Waste Management Company, the special-purpose vehicle implementing the scheme, reached financial close in June 2021 for the project.

    The Warsan project was developed under a 35-year PPP concession by a consortium comprising Dubai Holding, Dubai Aluminium, Tech Group and Itochu Corporation. 

    The main contractor was a joint venture of Belgium’s Besix Group and Hitachi Zosen Inova of Switzerland.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19354502/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Egypt to invest $4.5bn in refinery upgrades

    4 September 2026

    Egypt is planning to invest $4.5bn in refinery upgrades, according to the country’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi.

    Egyptian refineries are operating at 80% of capacity compared with 66% two years ago, according to Badawi, who wants further increases in utilisation of existing facilities.

    “We aim to invest around $4.5bn to develop existing refineries and build new units to reduce imports and achieve self-sufficiency in refined products,” he said in a statement.

    In May, Egypt said that it had increased its fuel import budget by almost 40% for the 2026-27 fiscal year amid higher global prices driven by the Iran war, which started when the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on 28 February.

    Brent crude prices are up about a third since the conflict started, trading at more than $90 a barrel for most of this month so far.

    Badawi said a decline in Egypt’s oil and gas production between 2021 and 2024 occurred because foreign companies were reluctant to invest in the country’s energy sector due to unpaid government debts.

    He said: “We have settled all the debt, which reached $6.1bn in June 2024. As a result, hydrocarbon exploration and production activity grew by nearly 20% this year.

    “We are now moving in the right direction to increase oil and gas output gradually.”

    Despite the ongoing push to develop projects in the country’s oil and gas sector, several key projects have seen significant delays in recent years.

    These include a $2bn hydrocracking complex package that forms part of the wider Assiut oil refinery upgrade project.

    Earlier this month, MEED revealed that mechanical completion of the hydrocracking package is now unlikely to be reached until early next year due to complications in the final stages of construction.

    The hydrocracking complex package has experienced extensive delays over several years.

    In April this year, Badawi called for work to accelerate on the Assiut oil refinery upgrade project, saying it is important for reducing the country’s spending on imported refined products.

    At the time, the oil ministry said the project was 88% complete, with trial operations planned by the end of the year.

    Assiut Oil Refining Company (ASORC), a subsidiary of state-owned Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, is the project operator.

    France’s Technip Energies is the main contractor, performing engineering, procurement and construction work on the Assiut hydrocracking complex under a $2bn contract awarded by ASORC in February 2020.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19353521/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • North Field West platform bidders get extra time

    4 September 2026

     

    QatarEnergy has granted contractors additional time to prepare bids for a key tender for the engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) of large platforms for the giant North Field gas field in Qatari waters.

    The tender, issued earlier this year, forms part of the wider North Field West (NFW) project, the third and last phase of the state enterprise’s North Field liquefied natural gas (LNG) expansion programme.

    The core scope comprises the EPCI of four production deck modules (PDMs) and associated structures. The new PDMs will increase gas production from North Field reservoirs and provide additional gas feedstock for the NFW LNG development.

    QatarEnergy has set 15 September as the deadline for technical bid submissions, while commercial bids are due on 10 November, according to sources.

    The previous deadlines for submission of technical and commercial bids were 30 August and 25 October, respectively, MEED previously reported.

    The following contractors, among others, are understood to be bidding:

    • China Offshore Oil Engineering Company (China)
    • Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon (India)
    • McDermott (US)
    • Saipem (Italy)

    Before issuing the PDM tender, QatarEnergy awarded McDermott a contract for the EPCI of four offshore jackets that will also support gas feedstock supply for the NFW LNG project. The contract is estimated to be worth about $200m, MEED reported in January.

    North Field LNG expansion

    QatarEnergy is advancing the three phases of its estimated $40bn North Field LNG expansion project. EPC works on all three giant projects are progressing.

    QatarEnergy is understood to have committed nearly $30bn to the first two phases – North Field East (NFE) and North Field South (NFS) – which will lift Qatar’s LNG production capacity from 77.5 million tonnes a year (t/y) to 126 million t/y by 2028.

    QatarEnergy awarded the main EPC contracts for NFE in 2021. The project was intended to raise LNG output to 110 million t/y by 2025. The $13bn EPC package – covering the EPCI of four LNG trains, each with a capacity of 8 million t/y – was awarded in February 2021 to a consortium of Japan’s Chiyoda and France’s Technip Energies.

    In May 2023, QatarEnergy awarded the $10bn main EPC contract for NFS to a consortium of Technip Energies and Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC). The contract includes two LNG trains, each with a capacity of 7.8 million t/y.

    Once fully operational, the first two phases are expected to add 48 million t/y of LNG supply to the global market.

    QatarEnergy took the final investment decision on NFW this year, awarding an EPC contract estimated at $8bn to a joint venture comprising Technip Energies, CCC and Gulf Asia Contracting (GAC) in February.

    Chiyoda carried out the front-end engineering and design (feed) work for the NFW LNG project.

    The NFW scope covers the EPC of two LNG trains with a combined capacity of 16 million t/y, as well as associated facilities for gas treatment, natural gas liquids recovery and helium extraction.

    In addition to LNG, NFW is expected to produce about 175,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day of condensate, ethane and LPG.

    With all three phases now under EPC execution – and NFE scheduled for commissioning later this year – QatarEnergy is positioning itself to remain one of the world’s largest LNG suppliers over the long term.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19352006/main.jpg
    Indrajit Sen