Indian based company PCM Strescon Overseas Ventures, has won a contract to supply sleepers for Etihad Rail, UAE’s national rail network operator and manager.
The company will design and manufacture railway sleepers in the UAE.
It will also set up the sleeper manufacturing facility for phase one of the railway network construction.
The 266 km route will link Shah, Habshan and Ruwais in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region, an official from Etihad Rail said.
“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 chief executive officer Richard Bowker said.
PCM Strescon is a manufacturer of pre-stressed concrete sleepers and has already set up two factories in Saudi Arabia with the world’s highest production capacities.
The company will oversee and manage the design, manufacturing, maintenance and storage of the railway sleepers that will support the network’s tracks, carrying the trains transporting granulated sulphur (in partnership with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) for export at the port of Ruwais.
“The award of this contract marks a major milestone for Etihad Rail and comes ahead of the laying of the first tracks for 1,200 kilometres network in fourth quarter of 2012,” Etihad Rail said.
Etihad Rail’s Dh40 billion railway project is forecast, over the next two decades, to transport up to 50 million tonnes of freight and 16 million passengers per annum, connecting population centres and opening up channels for trade. It will form a vital part of the GCC Railway Network.
