Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Rail has invited firms to prequalify by 27 January for the operation and maintenance facilities contract (DO201) for stage two of the 1,200-kilometre federal railway network.

To participate, Etihad Rail specified that contractors or joint ventures (JV) must hold or be capable of acquiring the required licenses and accreditations needed to work in the UAE.

Companies should also have recent experience in executing similar sized projects particularly in terms of earthworks; track works; drainage; building structures; mechanical and electrical installation; service roads and railway depot provisioning; maintenance and overhaul equipment.

Etihad Rail DB, a JV of Etihad Rail and DB Schenker Rail, a subsidiary of German-based Deutsche Bahn (DB), operates the 264km first stage of Etihad Rail.

The existing line transports granulated sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais.

Etihad Rail last year launched the procurement process for the Etihad Rail Project Stage Two (Phase 2) with the bidding process for the first Stage 2 contract package under way.

Etihad Rail has said that it expects services on Stage Two to commence in 2023.

The scope of the Etihad Rail Project Stage Two (Phase 2) is as follows:

• Package A, also referred to as Contract  C0303, involves the construction of a 138km rail line in Al-Dhafra region between Ghuweifat to Ruwais
• Package B (Contract C0304) involves the construction of 200km of mainline line in Abu Dhabi and 40km branch line to Khalifa port
• Package C (Contract C0306) involves construction of 78km mainline in Dubai and 20km branch line to Jebel Ali port
• Package D (Contract C0308) involves construction of 98km mainline from Sharjah to Fujairah and 29km branch line to Tawyeen
• Package E (Contract E0001) covers rail integration and systems packages