meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

UAE high-speed rail bidders revealed

17 January 2025

 

Local and international contractors are teaming up to bid for contracts to design and build the civil works and stations for the railway line connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The UAE’s Etihad Rail has tendered a contract to design and build the civil works and station packages for the high-speed railway (HSR) project.

The tender notice was issued on 10 January with a bid submission deadline of 7 May.

MEED understands that the make-up of the teams is:

Abu Dhabi section
  • Hyundai Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
  • China Harbour Engineering Company (China)
  • China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group / Western Bainoona Group / China Railway International Group / China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group (China/local/China/China)
  • Dogus Insaat Ve Ticaret (Turkiye)
  • Gulermak (Turkiye)
  • Cengiz Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret (Turkiye)
  • China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation / China Railway 11th Bureau Group / China Railway Construction Electrification Bureau / China Railway First Survey & Design Institute (China)
  • Larsen & Toubro / Hilal Bil Badi & Partners (India/local)
  • National Projects & Construction / China State Construction Engineering / Kalyon Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret / Trojan (local/China/Turkiye/local)
  • Power Construction Corporation of China / Shanghai Tunnel Engineering (China)
  • Samsung C&T Corporation (South Korea)
  • Vinci Construction / Orascom Construction / Archirodon (France/Egypt/Greece)
  • Webuild / Tristar Engineering & Construction (Italy/local)
Dubai section
  • Hyundai Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
  • China Harbour Engineering Company (China)
  • China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group / Agility / China Railway International Group / China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group (China/local/China/China)
  • Dogus Insaat Ve Ticaret (Turkiye)
  • Gulermak (Turkiye)
  • Cengiz Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret (Turkiye)
  • China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation / China Railway 11th Bureau Group / China Railway Construction Electrification Bureau / China Railway First Survey and Design Institute (China)
  • Larsen & Toubro / Wade Adams (India/local)
  • National Projects & Construction / China State Construction Engineering / Kalyon Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret / Trojan (local/China/Turkiye/local)
  • Power Construction Corporation of China / Shanghai Tunnel Engineering (China)
  • Samsung C&T Corporation (South Korea)
  • Vinci Construction / Orascom Construction / Archirodon / Bouygues (France/Egypt/Greece/France)
  • Webuild / Tristar Engineering & Construction (Italy/local)

The make-up of the consortiums is expected to change as some of the firms are still in the process of finalising the teams.

Earlier this month, MEED exclusively reported that Etihad Rail is expected to issue the request for proposals (RFP) for the project in the first quarter of 2025.

Etihad Rail started the post-prequalification clarifications with firms after they submitted prequalification documents on 21 November last year.

In September last year, MEED exclusively reported on the construction plans for the UAE’s HSR network. The design speed of the trains running on the 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 the construction of a railway line connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which is expected to be operational by 2030
  • The second phase will involve the development of an inner-city railway network with 10 stations within Abu Dhabi city
  • The third phase of the railway network involves the construction of a connection between Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain
  • The fourth phase involves the development of an inter-emirate connection between Dubai and Sharjah

The 150-kilometre (km) 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 project will include tunnelling works totalling 31km.

The rail line will have five stations: Al-Zahiyah (ADT), Saadiyat Island (ADS), Yas Island (YAS), Abu Dhabi 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 the 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.

The preliminary site testing works have begun. Dubai-based Matcon Testing Laboratory and Abu Dhabi’s Engineering & Research International are conducting drilling tests to ascertain the ground conditions in areas through which the HSR will pass. 

Spanish engineering firms Sener and Ineco are the project’s engineering consultants.

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13273970/main.jpg
Yasir Iqbal

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

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Morocco to invest $300m in Casablanca port expansion

    9 July 2026

    Marsa Maroc, Morocco’s biggest port operator, has announced that it will invest MD3bn ($300m) to expand container-handling capacity at the Port of Casablanca, following the grant of a 20-year extension to its concession for operating Container Terminal 3 (TC3).

    The concession extension will be undertaken through Marsa Maroc's subsidiary, TC3PC.

    Marsa Maroc will increase TC3’s capacity from 600,000 to 900,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by 2030.

    The wider programme is expected to lift the Port of Casablanca’s overall container capacity to more than 2 million TEUs.

    Planned works include extending quay infrastructure, modernising cargo-handling equipment and reconfiguring storage areas at the two container terminals operated by Marsa Maroc at the port.

    The company said that these upgrades are intended to improve operational efficiency and enhance cargo throughput.

    The latest announcement follows Marsa Maroc's unveiling of a MD21bn ($2.1bn) investment programme in March, as it looks to reinforce its position as a leading regional ports player through to the end of this decade.

    Marsa Maroc reported consolidated revenue of MD5.7bn ($578m) in 2025, a 16% rise from MD5.8bn ($500m) a year earlier.

    The company attributed the growth to increased volumes handled at its terminals, as well as a broader range of logistics services.

    Operationally, cargo throughput climbed to more than 67 million tonnes, up 6% year-on-year, and a record for the group.

    Container volumes also hit a new milestone, topping 3 million TEUs for the first time, consolidating Marsa Maroc’s standing as Africa’s fourth-largest container operator.

    Marsa Maroc is the fourth-largest listed firm in Morocco by market capitalisation, according to UK-based Drewry Maritime Research.

    READ THE JULY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Stress test for Gulf aviation; Mixed performance as country outlooks diverge in the Levant; GCC tourism sector pivots from crisis to recovery mode.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the July 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17588652/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Riyadh tenders Quality Valley mixed-use PPP project

    9 July 2026

     

    Saudi Arabia’s State Properties General Authority, in collaboration with the National Centre for Privatisation & PPP, has tendered a contract to transform the Saudi Standards, Metrology & Quality Organisation's headquarters site in Riyadh’s Al-Muhammadiyah area into a mixed-use district.

    The firms have been allowed until 8 October to submit their proposals.

    Known as the Quality Valley Riyadh project, the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme will be developed on a design, build, finance, operate, maintain and transfer basis.

    In May, MEED reported that 59 firms had expressed interest in the contract to develop the project.

    Unless otherwise stated, the interested companies are local. They now include:

    Developers / real estate developers:

    • Abdulrahman Saad Alrashid & Sons (Artar)
    • Ajdan Real Estate Development Company
    • AlBawani
    • Al-Gihaz Holding
    • Al-Ayuni Investment & Contracting
    • Alameriah Development
    • Alargan Projects Company
    • Al-Fahd Company
    • Alkhorayef Investment & Development
    • Al-Soliman Real Estate
    • Al-Saedan Real Estate
    • Asyad Holding Company
    • Arabian Construction Company (UAE)
    • Business Deal Company
    • Ezdihar Real Estate Company
    • Hay Developments
    • Heyazah Real Estate Development
    • Kinan International 
    • Ladun Investment Company
    • Lamar Holding (Bahrain)
    • Ledar Investment
    • Liwan Real Estate Development
    • Mada International
    • Naif Alrajhi Investment
    • Pan Kingdom Real Estate
    • Refad Investment & Real Estate Development
    • Retal Urban Development Company
    • Al-Mozaini Real Estate
    • Safari Group
    • SkyBridge (US)
    • Sumou Real Estate
    • Tatweer
    • Technical Development Company
    • Telad Real Estate
    • Zamil Group
    • Zeoof Real Estate Investment & Development

    Contractors:

    • Al-Kifah Holding Company
    • BEC Arabia
    • Buna Al-Khaleej Contracting Company
    • Saudi Binladin Group
    • Fanar Arabian International
    • International Hospitals Construction Company
    • Mohammed Ali Al-Swailem Trading & Contracting (Masco)
    • Mobco Civil Construction
    • Shar Company
    • Shibh Al-Jazira Contracting Company
    • Urbas Middle East (Spain)

    Consultants:

    • Alteraz Design Architectural & Engineering Consultant
    • Dar Al-Riyadh
    • Meinhardt Group (Singapore)
    • Equity Investors
    • Ahmed Al-Thunayan Investment Group
    • Aldrees Industrial and Trading Company
    • Tanami Holding
    • Own United
    • SAH First Investment Company  
    • ​Sumou Global Investment / Poly Manners Architecture
    • Financial Services Providers​​
    • GIB Capital
    • Mefic Capital
    • SNB Capital

    The project comprises commercial offices, a four-star hotel and retail facilities. The contract term is 32 years, in addition to a three-year construction period. The site covers about 191,000 square metres.

    UK-based PricewaterhouseCoopers, US-based engineering firm Jacobs and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nowaisser & Al-Suwaylimi are advising on the project.

    READ THE JULY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Stress test for Gulf aviation; Mixed performance as country outlooks diverge in the Levant; GCC tourism sector pivots from crisis to recovery mode.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the July 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17603519/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Egypt gold project to start commercial production next year

    9 July 2026

    Egypt’s Abu Marawat gold project is on track to begin commercial production in 2027, according to a statement by the North African country’s Petroleum & Mineral Resources Ministry.

    This target was highlighted during a meeting with Abu Marawat Gold Mines Company to review and discuss the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study for the gold mining and extraction project in the Abu Marwat area of ​​the Eastern Desert.

    Abu Marawat Gold Mines Company is the Egyptian joint-venture company set up to develop and run the Abu Marawat gold project.

    It is owned by Canada’s Aton Resources and Egypt’s Mineral Resources & Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA).

    During the meeting, Yasser Ramadan, chairman of the MRMIA, said that the Marawat project serves as a practical model for the Petroleum & Mineral Resources Ministry’s strategy to establish modern mining operations.

    The Abu Marwat project is located in the Arabian-Nubian Shield region of the Eastern Desert.

    The concession covers an area of more than 57 square kilometres.

    Aton Resources has been advancing the exploration and development of the Abu Marawat concession since its award in 2007, with active exploration starting on the ground in 2009.

    The meeting with Abu Marawat Gold Mines Company was attended by executives from the Petroleum & Mineral Resources Ministry, the MRMIA and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, as well as representatives from the Red Sea and Qena governorates, members of the House of Representatives and local community leaders.

    READ THE JULY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Stress test for Gulf aviation; Mixed performance as country outlooks diverge in the Levant; GCC tourism sector pivots from crisis to recovery mode.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the July 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17603106/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • Firms submit King Salman airport project prequalifications

    8 July 2026

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) received prequalification statements on 1 July from contractors for two new packages at King Salman International airport (KSIA) in Riyadh.

    These include the construction of a permanent East-West corridor and landside access roads serving the North and South terminals.

    The scope covers the construction of roads, bridges and tunnels.

    The client is expected to float the tenders soon.

    The latest development follows KSIADC's selection of three groups to deliver the Terminal 6 apron, taxiways and other airfield infrastructure at KSIA.

    KSIADC, which is backed by Saudi sovereign wealth vehicle the Public Investment Fund, will initially deliver the project on an early contractor involvement basis.

    In March, MEED exclusively reported that KSIADC had selected three groups for the construction of Terminal 6.

    In November last year, MEED reported that KSIADC was targeting mid-2026 to award the contract for the construction of Terminal 6.

    MEED reported in May 2025 that US firm Bechtel Corporation had been appointed as the delivery partner for the terminals at KSIA.

    According to local media reports, KSIADC’s acting CEO, Marco Mejia, said the project developer has completed the project’s masterplan.

    The reports added that Terminal 6 will boost the airport’s capacity by 40 million passengers.

    The project is expected to be delivered before the start of Expo 2030 Riyadh.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17588533/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • WEBINAR: Saudi Giga Projects: Market Update for Q3 2026

    8 July 2026

    Webinar: Saudi Giga Projects: Market Update for Q3 2026 
    Tuesday 21 July 2026 | 11:00 AM GST  |  Register now

    Agenda:

    • Saudi projects market outlook and giga projects update
    • 2026 contract awards, project activity and market performance
    • Giga project reprioritisation, funding allocation and delivery progress
    • Key project announcements, milestones and market developments to watch
    • Major contracts awarded across construction, infrastructure and utilities
    • Upcoming tenders and contract award opportunities over the next 6–12 months
    • Geopolitical risks and their impact on project execution and investment
    • Progress across NEOM, The Red Sea, Diriyah, Qiddiya and New Murabba
    • Major non-giga project opportunities and growth sectors across Saudi Arabia
    • Short-, medium- and long-term outlook for the Saudi projects market
    • Audience Q&A

    Hosted by: Yasir Iqbal, MEED's construction editor

    Click here to register

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17588750/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal