The Indian-based company will be responsible for the design and manufacturing of the sleepers as well as for a sleeper manufacturing facility for the 266km first phase of the 1,200km railway network. The railway will connect the UAE to Saudi Arabia via Ghweifat in the west and Oman via Al Ain in the east.
The first phase covers the route linking Shah, Habshan and Ruwais in Abu Dhabi's Western Region. The first tracks for the network are due to be laid in the fourth quarter of 2012.
PCM Strescon will oversee and manage the design, manufacturing, maintenance and storage of the railway sleepers that will support the network's tracks that will carry the trains transporting granulated sulphur (in partnership with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) for export at the port of Ruwais.
“We are delighted to announce that Etihad Rail will be working with PCM Strescon, a leader in the industry,” said Etihad Rail CEO Richard Bowker. “This award clearly highlights that we are moving full speed ahead with the railway network - one that will transform the transport sector in the UAE. We look forward to announcing news of further important contract developments over the coming months.”
Etihad Rail's Dhs40bn (£6.8bn) railway project is forecast - over the next two decades - to grow to transport up to 50 million tonnes of freight and 16 million passengers per annum, connecting population centres and opening up channels for trade.
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