Rail package evokes 'tremendous' interest among international firms

16 April 2014


A prequalification process, launched by Oman Rail with the aim of identifying competent bidders for its main construction package, has elicited interest from a record 102 civil engineering/construction firms from around the world, including a number of international heavyweights.

Separately, 47 local and international firms collected documents pertaining to the prequalification of bidders for the Railway Systems package.

Both sets of responses underscore the mammoth international interest from contractors and vendors eager for contracting opportunities linked to the implementation of the Sultanate's multi-billion rial railway project.

Construction majors from Turkey, China, Italy, France, Spain, and South Korea are among dozens of international companies that have signified interest in bidding for the key Civil Infrastructure and Railway Track Design & Build Contracting Services Package (Main Contractor) of the Oman Rail project.

The list includes contracting giants, such as Ozkar of Turkey, STFA of Turkey, Hyundai Engineering & Construction of South Korea, TOTO of Italy, Strabag of Austria, Hanjin Heavy Industries of South Korea, Saipem of Italy, J&P of Channel Islands, China Railway, CCC, Astaldi of Italy, TAV Tepe Akfen, Samsung, Acciona of Spain, Tecnimont of Italy, Hochtief Construction, POSCO and Eiffage Rail.

Contracting interest from locally and regionally based firms has been equally robust. Potential contenders from the Sultanate include Galfar, Zubair Corporation, Hani Archirodon, Services & Trade, Federici Stirling BATCO, Teejan, Carillion Alawi, Bahwan Contracting, Al Hassan Engineering, Towell Infrastructure, Drake & Scull Oman, Gulf Petrochemical Services, Oman Brunei Investment, and Simplex Infrastructures.

Up for grabs is a mega contract for the implementation of a 171km segment extending from Sohar to Buraimi and representing Section 1 of the 2,244km national rail network. As part of its scope, the selected Main Contractor will undertake a detailed design based on the preliminary design submitted by Italferr, the Italian rail consultancy appointed as the Preliminary Design Consultant (PDC) for the national railway project.

Civil works constitute a key component of the design and build package. It covers all the required earthworks, track work, switches and crossings, construction of railway depots, freight and operational facilities, railway maintenance compounds, highways and access roads, drainage channels, railway embankments and sand mitigation zones.

Also as part of its remit, the design and build contractor will build all structures, including railway tunnels, under-bridges and over-bridges, camel bridges, culverts, and crossings for pipelines and utilities. Facilities for freight, loading and unloading, operations and maintenance buildings, are included as well.

A contract award for the main design and build package is slated during the fourth quarter of this year.