Oman-Etihad Rail, the joint venture (JV) between Oman Rail and Etihad Rail, has launched a pre-qualification tender for civil works on a new railway line it is developing to connect the UAE with Oman. Under the pre-qualification aspect of the tendering process, potential contractors must demonstrate individually or in a JV or consortium that they have the necessary resources and required expertise. Oman Rail and Etihad Rail had signed an agreement in September 2022 worth €2.8 billion (US$3 billion) to design, build and operate the 303 km cross-border standard-gauge railway line from the port of Sohar on the Gulf of Oman to UAE’s national network at Abu Dhabi via Al Ain. Passenger trains will operate at up to 200 km/h, reducing journey times from Sohar to Abu Dhabi to 1 hour 40 minutes, and from Sohar to Al Ain to 47 minutes. Freight trains will operate at up to 120 km/h on the new line.
