Etihad Rail, the developer, and operator of the UAE’s national railway, has awarded systems and integration contract worth Dh1.6 billion ($435 million) for the Stage Two of the network, to Hitachi Rail STS, a fully integrated, global provider of rail solutions across rolling stock, signaling services and turnkey operations.
The company has successfully completed Stage One of the rail network which is currently operational. The route spans 264 km, transporting sulfur from sources at Shah and Habshan to the export point at Ruwais.
The Stage Two, extends 605 km from Ghuweifat on Saudi border to the emirate of Fujairah on the east coast linking Mussafah, Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali Port.
The contract was approved during a board meeting chaired by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Etihad Rail.
As per the deal, Hitachi Rail STS will be responsible for the design and build of railway systems related to its subsystems, in co-ordination with other Stage Two works and contracts, as well as managing uptime and operation tests.
With this agreement, Etihad Rail reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the highest levels of efficiency and safety in accordance with the latest international standards.
The trains will be equipped with the latest European signaling system inside the locomotives (ETCS Level 2), which will ensure that trains can easily move between GCC countries without stopping at the borders.
The contract was signed by CEO Shadi Malak and Hitachi Rail STS Business Unit President (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) Christian Andi in the presence of Akihiko Nakajima, the Japanese Ambassador to the UAE and other officials.
TradeArabia News Service
09/10/2019
