Construction Week reported that a Spanish consortium has beaten off heavyweight competition from a group formed of Saudi Bin Ladin, Siemens and DB to be confirmed as the winner of the USD 9.3 billion Phase II contract on the Haramain high speed rail network.
Reports in July had suggested that a Spanish winner had been selected for the prized contract with the Al Shoula consortium revealed to be been the likely candidate in November but an official announcement had to wait while the awarding of the contract was ratified by the Saudi government.
The Saudi Spanish Al Shoula consortium, which comprises 12 companies including Al Shoula and the construction firm Al Rosan from KSA and Spanish state owned enterprises Renfe Operadora, Adif and Ineco will now be tasked the construction and operation of the high speed line between Mecca and Medina.
According to Al Shoula who will be responsible for operating the high speed line linking the two holy cities of Islam over a period of 12 years, this is the biggest foreign contract ever awarded to a Spanish company.
Other organizations involved in the tender process included a Saudi Bin Ladin Group led enterprise including Siemens and DB, the Al Rajhi Alliance and two Asian groups: the Japanese and Korean Badr Consortium and CSR Consortium, a bid group led by China CNR Corporation Limited.
The high speed line between Mecca and Medina will be 444 kilometers long and suitable for speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour. The line will have five stations Mecca, Jeddah, Jeddah Airport, KAEC and Medina. The line is expected to serve 166,000 passengers a day,
According to Renfe, the contract award is unprecedented in Spain as no rail operator has ever participated in such a large scale foreign project. It hopes also that the contract could open the door to other projects in the Middle East.
The initial rolling stock order consists of 35 electric trains which will be manufactured entirely in Spain, with an option to purchase 23 more. Each train will be formed of 13 coaches and two power cars, with a total seating capacity of between 400 and 500.
(Sourced from Construction Weekonline)
