Value of transport projects completed in the GCC rises

03 February 2019
The closing date for entries to the MEED Projects Awards 2019 in association with Mashreq is nearly upon us, so it is a good time to look at trends highlighted by this year’s awards

The total value of transport projects competed in the GCC rose by 17 per cent to $34bn in 2018, up from $29.2bn in 2017 as significant projects were commissioned in Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE.

Over the two years, Saudi Arabia saw the most transport projects completed. It finished 124 projects. The UAE followed closely with 122.

The most significant project with packages completed over the 2017-18 period was King Abdulaziz International airport’s new terminal, north of Jeddah.

The project includes a new terminal building with 42 departure gates, aircraft hangars, a control tower, a railway station and maintenance facilities.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca) plans to ultimately expand King Abdulaziz International airport to increase its annual capacity to 80 million passengers by 2035.

Package 1 of the new terminal had a budget of $4bn, making it the biggest project to be completed in the GCC over the 2017-18 period.

Package 2 had a budget of $3.1bn, making it the second-biggest project.

The 10 biggest transport projects completed in the GCC in 2017-18
ProjectProject sponsorCountryValue ($m)
King Abdulaziz International airport: phase 1: new terminal: package 1GacaSaudi Arabia4,040
King Abdulaziz International airport: phase 1: new terminal: package 2GacaSaudi Arabia3,077
Mafraq-Ghuweifat road development (Shaikh Khalifa Road)MusanadaUAE2,800
Muscat & Salalah International airport expansion: passenger terminal (MC3)Oman Airports Management CompanyOman2,000
Emirates Roads MasterplanMusanadaUAE1,400
Expressway programme: new Orbital highway & truck route: contract 2AshghalQatar1,400
Muscat & Salalah International airport expansion: MC1Oman Airports Management CompanyOman1,300
Haramain high-speed rail network: phase 1: package 2 (contract 1)Saudi Railways OrganisationSaudi Arabia1,287
Haramain high-speed rail network: phase 1: package 2 (contract 2)Saudi Railways OrganisationSaudi Arabia1,267
Minerals railway: package 4Saudi Railway CompanySaudi Arabia725

Source: MEED Projects

The MEED Projects Awards 2019 in association with Mashreq recognise the best projects in the GCC. Reflecting the latest market trends, this year’s awards feature 17 different categories for entries. If you have been involved in a project completed in 2017 or 2018 that you believe deserves to be recognised, you can submit your entry at: MEED Projects Awards 2019.

 

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