Al-Futtaim wins Etihad Rail contract

13 August 2013

Company to provide HVAC works for the rail project

Italy’s Saipem has awarded Dubai-based Al-Futtaim Engineering a multi-million dirham contract to provide heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) works for the Etihad Rail project.

Under the contract Al-Futtaim Engineering’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) division will provide HVAC works for depots, track and line side alignment facilities at Mirfa in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Rail, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi and the federal government, is the master developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network. Etihad Rail’s AED40bn ($11bn) 1,200km route network will connect urban and remote communities throughout the country. The network will also form a vital part of the GCC Railway Network – linking the UAE to Saudi Arabia at Ghweifat in the west and Oman at Al-Ain in the east.

In 2011, the mostly Italian consortium led by Saipem won the $898m civil and tracks work contract for phase one of the railway project. The other members of the consortium include Tecnimont and the UAE’s Dodsal Engineering and Construction

Phase one will involve the construction of a 265km freight line to transport granulated sulphur from Abu Dhabi’s sour gas fields in Habshan and Shah in the southwest of the Abu Dhabi emirate. The line is under construction, with the Habshan to Ruwais link to be completed toward the end of 2013, and the Shah-Habshan connection due for completion in 2014.

Most of the major contracts for phase two are expected to be awarded in 2013, with the line expected to be operational by 2017. 

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