Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Rail has invited firms to prequalify by 15 January for the railway integration and systems contract for stage 2 of the 1,200-kilometre federal railway.

MEED understands construction of stage 2 will start in 2019 and is expected to be completed by 2023.

According to a document seen by MEED, the selected railway integration and systems contractor will be responsible for the design, procurement, manufacturing, installation and systems integration for his own subsystems; the integration with the other disciplines and contracts for stage 2; and for the stage 2 railway integration, testing and commissioning management.

Stage 2 covers the following packages:

• A (Al-Dhafra region): approximately 138km from Ghuweifat to Ruwais
• B (Abu Dhabi): approximately 200km of mainline plus a 40km branch line to Khalifa Port
• C (Dubai): approximately 78km mainline plus 20km branch line to Jebel Ali Port
• D (Sharjah and Fujairah): approximately 98km mainline plus 29km line to Tawyeen

Bids for Package A are currently under evaluation.

The client is also holding a rolling stock industry workshop until 12 December.

MEED understands Etihad Rail had sought interest from the international rolling stock community “to discuss the engineering requirements of the rolling stock required for the Etihad Rail Stage 2 Project”, on those dates.

The workshop is expected to generate relevant considerations applicable to the freight rolling stock required for operating in an adverse environment.