Federal rail company Union Railway is inviting firms to submit expressions of interest (EOI) to prequalify by 16 September to supply rolling stock for the first phase of the $11bn UAE national railway.

Firms are invited to submit expressions of interest to prequalify for the locomotives contract and/or the freight wagons contract.

Rolling stock comprises locomotives, freight wagons and associated components, workshop equipment and tools. The rolling stock for the railway must be suitable for heavy haul operations and must also be diesel electric locomotives. Freight wagons must be covered hoppers with bottom discharge suitable for carrying 100 tonnes of granulated sulphur.

Union Railway expects prequalification documents will be available for collection by 19 September and firms will be invited to prequalify for the rolling stock contracts by 3 October. Firms have already submit expressions of interest in the contract to complete civil and track works of the railway and Union Railway expects to issue the tender documents in November (MEED 1:7:10).

The first phase of the railway involves building a 265-kilometre line to connect the Shah gas field in the south of the emirate with oil and gas processing facilities at Habshan in the southwest and will be used to transport 10,000 tonnes a day (t/d) of granulated sulphur. A later phase will go on to connect Habshan with distribution facilities at the port of Ruwais in the Western Region and will be used to transport 20,000 t/d of sulphur.