Rail Middle East

Rail Middle East speciAlreport

tuEsday

february 5, 2013

mE rail 2013

Bringing locomotive professionals together PagE 7

PROJECTS

ONTRACK

A new erA -in logistics And trAnsportAtion January March, 2012

Eco-friEndly concEpt

For a sustainable future PagE 12

RAIL MIDDLE EAST

RAIL MIDDLE EAST SPECIAL REPORT FEBRUARY 5, 2013

EDITORIAL Executive Editor Patrick Michael

ConTEnTS

Supplements Editor Suchitra Steven Samuel Sub-Editor Sadiq Shaban Reporters Farhana Chowdhury Suneeti Ahuja-Kohli

PRODUCTION Designers Mohammad Ejaz Khan Sidharthan Imaging Venugopal Prabhu

ADVERTISING Director Advertising Haroon Qureshi Senior Advertising Manager (Supplements) Philip Smith

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new era in transportation Connecting the emirates Exhibitors double at the show Glimpses of Middle East Rail 2012 Chugging ahead Etihad Rail’s wagons reach Mina Zayed Etihad Rail, GSL ink deal Recycled building wastes to be used in Etihad Rail work Dubai Metro has an ‘excellent’ score Etihad Rail signs MoU with CWM DHL partners with Etihad Rail Etihad Rail inks pact with Sharaf Logistics Dh220 bn of rail projects in the Gulf Etihad Rail and Sharjah Cement sign agreement

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RAIL MIDDLE EAST

New era in traNsportatioN Upcoming railway projects set the Emirates in motion Farhana Chowdhury

expansion to serve the densely populated areas of the city.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman he advent of transportation in the of the Board and Executive UAE, with the com- Director of the Roads and ing of the Dubai Transport Authority (RTA) Metro, has in many recently announced that the ways propelled the country to infrastructure would have 197 move forward. Inaugurated stations over an area of 421 on a memorable date, Sep- kilometres, and be completed tember 9, 2009 (09/09/09), in three phases with the first the metro connected various phase to begin in 2020.

With the city’s population parts of Dubai and has since ferried thousands of people to expected to rise to about 4.1 million in the next decade, their destinations.

Now besides its two dedi- the second phase will be cated routes — the Red line ready to accommodate transand Green line — which con- portation needs. By then, nects Jebel Ali to Rashidiya, upon completion of the new three new metro lines — Blue, routes, an assessment of the Gold and Purple — along with project has been planned a Jumeirah tram are set to roll which will check passenger on tracks by the year 2030. response and requirements The current running Red and in order to further expand Green lines will also see an the line.

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Now besides its two dedicated routes — the Red line and Green line — which connects Jebel Ali to Rashidiya, three new metro lines — Blue, Gold and Purple — along with a Jumeirah tram are set to roll on tracks by the year 2030

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To date, the metro has shown excellent progress in operation. According to Al Tayer, the Dubai Metro has a fault rate of one metro car against every 800,000 km, rounding up to one against four million kilometres. A control centre is in charge of monitoring the trains’ movements such as entry into railway, stopping the train; environmental control, passenger information systems, as well as power supply feed, among others.

An anticipated upcoming project is the Etihad Rail network that will connect the seven emirates of the UAE and open up channels for economic development. It will also be linked with the GCC Railway Network, a line that will connect the country to

RAIL MIDDLE EAST

Connecting the emirates The Federal Government Coordination Committee for Etihad Rail, the master developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, recently met to discuss the route of Stages Two and Three of the rail network and the process of land allocation to connect the country’s ports, industrial areas and urban communities. The committee also discussed ways of ensuring coordination and collaboration of the various federal and local government entities to ensure timely delivery of the project.

The committee’s first meeting was led by Falah Al Ahbabi, a member of Etihad Rail’s Board of Directors and Chairman of the company’s Federal Government Coordination Committee. It analysed the project’s legal and official procedures for land allocation in each emirate, referencing the company’s previous experience in development and progression.

The committee explored the possibility of applying the same, or a similar strategy, in each emirate to ensure time-efficient execution of the project, and discussed procedures for the issuance of no objection certificates by each emirate.

Comprising of representatives from 10 federal and local government entities, committee members emphasised the positive impacts of the rail project on the UAE economy, highlighting the impact on business and industrial sectors.

Members also discussed means to assure that the rail project is and will be strongly integrated into strategic federal transportation plans.

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etihad Rail Federal Government coordination committee meets to discuss routes Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The Etihad Railway network will be built from recycled materials sourced from construction and demolition wastes. Contractor Thiess Services Middle East (TSME) is expected to supply about 750,000 tonnes of recycled material assist in the completion of its first phase. In the long run, this will save about five million kilometres in the truck transportation of recycled materials, which in turn reduces its financial and environmental cost. Phase one of the network is slated for completion in 2014.

The project will be constructed from one of its upcoming schemes includes setting a national railway to transport waste. A MoU was signed in November last year between developer and operator of the country’s national railway network Etihad Rail and Centre of Waste Management — Abu Dhabi.

Besides helping commuters journey to their desired locations, Etihad Railway network is expected to cater to freight and cargo necessities as well. The network recently joined hands with the Sharjah Cement Factory, a joint venture of Sharjah Cement and Industrial Devel-

opment Company (SCIDC) to use the track to efficiently deliver basic raw materials and cement to customers across the UAE. This is expected to facilitate over five million metric tonnes (MT) of cargo transported per year.

Dr Nasser Saif Al Mansoori, CEO of Etihad Rail, said: “The agreement with Sharjah Cement Factory is of great significance as it marks Etihad Rail’s first customer for Stage Three of the strategic national rail project, which will contribute to the UAE’s economic growth. We are delighted to provide the local factory with a sustainable transport solution that will positively impact its customers and the UAE com-

munity, in line with UAE Vision 2021.”

Another is its venture alongside third-party logistics provider Global Shipping and Logistics (GSL), which is a subsidiary of Al Shirawai Group of companies. The agreement is expected to create a reliable, low-cost and effective cold chain for customers that will notably be beneficial for distributors who transport perishable goods to the GCC market.

The upcoming projects bring on an exciting new era in transportation in the Middle East. The ever-dynamic UAE is working its way to cater to its booming business and population along with a sustainable future.

— farhana@khaleejtimes.com

RAIL MIDDLE EAST

Exhibitors double at the show Middle East Rail welcomes 2,500 registered attendees to the region’s largest rail conference and exhibition

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he seventh Annual Middle East Rail grows a recordbreaking 100 per cent with over 2,500 registered to attend, including the regional rail developers, transport authorities and operators.

Regional industry leaders Hamad Al Yousef, Civil and Track Director, Projects Saudi Railway Company, Mohammad Montazeri, Deputy Managing Director, Tehran Urban and Suburban Railway Company, Graeme Overall, Business Development Director, Etihad Rail join Saad Al Muhannadi, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Rail in keynote sessions at the conference.

Exhibitors participating in the show have more than doubled since the 2012 show as Middle East Rail partners grow to more than 90 companies, representing a significant proportion of the Middle Eastern rail industry worth over $156 billion.

In the next decade, it will see a complete reform of mo-

bility within the Middle East.

Currently in the GCC there are a handful of operational rail lines, however, within 10 years almost every major city will host a state-of-the-art metro and each country a national rail network. Expansion on this scale, in this time span has never been seen before; the GCC will face many challenges when trying to meet these ambitious targets. The rich opportunities for innovation and industry leading rail projects are attracting attention from across the globe.

This industry growth is reflected in the growth of Middle East Rail, which has now become a must-attend industry gathering in the Middle East. This year, the event has moved to the World Trade Centre.

Laura Parker, General Manager, Middle East Rail said, “This event has been at the forefront of the regional rail sector since 2006 and has seen a tremendous growth in the industry. We are proud to be associated

with such landmark changes in the Middle East, changes that are sure to have a favourable impact on the economy. We hope all participants, both regional and international, have a wonderful learning experience at the show and benefit from all the business development opportunities on offer.”

This year’s Middle East Rail has 80 free seminars plus a high-level conference designed to explore the strategy and innovation needed to support the major rail developments.

Topics being discussed include: • Creating revolutionary rail networks in the Middle East • How can Middle East operators increase ridership • Innovative ICT solutions for GCC Railway projects • Conducting trials on alternative ways to fund railway projects • Creating a multimodal

We are proud to be associated with such landmark changes in the Middle East, changes that are sure to have a favourable impact on the economy. We hope all participants, both regional and international, have a wonderful learning experience at the show and benefit from all the business development opportunities on offer Laura Parker

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RAIL MIDDLE EAST freight network to connect transport terminals • Building a state –of-theart freight network for the UAE There are also three post conference briefing days taking place on February 7 to look in detail at Signalling and Train Control, Intermodal and High Speed Rail.

The sponsors of Middle East Rail includes exclusive Title sponsor CSR Corporation, Platinum sponsors Vossloh, RusExpo — Russian Railways, Huawei and Alstom, and Gold sponsors Thales, Teltronic, Voestalpine, Kapsch and General Electric. Other sponsors at Middle East Rail include Jindal Steel, Progress Rail, Maccaferri, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Alcatel-Lucent, OTN Systems, Elektro Thermit, Al Fajer Aboud Railways, Consolidated Contractors International Company SAL and FOGTEC Brandschutz GmbH & Co. KG. Middle East Rail gala dinner is a prestigious rail networking dinner of the year.

For the first time in Middle East Rail history, the Middle East Rail gala dinner will be held in the iconic Emirates Towers, and hosted by Wonho Chung, the critically acclaimed stand-up comedian, singer, musician, interviewer and media personality whose popular comedy routine see him highlighting the idiosyncrasies of both the Arab and Far Eastern ways of life.

RAIL MIDDLE EAST

Glimpses of Middle East Rail 2012 An effective platform for the industry, Middle East Rail 2012 was ideally positioned for buyers, sellers and railway industry experts to learn, grow and explore business opportunities

This year’s Middle East Rail has 80 free seminars plus a highlevel conference designed to explore the strategy and innovation needed to support the major rail developments

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RAIL MIDDLE EAST freight network to connect transport terminals • Building a state –of-theart freight network for the UAE There are also three post conference briefing days taking place on February 7 to look in detail at Signalling and Train Control, Intermodal and High Speed Rail.

The sponsors of Middle East Rail includes exclusive Title sponsor CSR Corporation, Platinum sponsors Vossloh, RusExpo — Russian Railways, Huawei and Alstom, and Gold sponsors Thales, Teltronic, Voestalpine, Kapsch and General Electric. Other sponsors at Middle East Rail include Jindal Steel, Progress Rail, Maccaferri, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Alcatel-Lucent, OTN Systems, Elektro Thermit, Al Fajer Aboud Railways, Consolidated Contractors International Company SAL and FOGTEC Brandschutz GmbH & Co. KG. Middle East Rail gala dinner is a prestigious rail networking dinner of the year.

For the first time in Middle East Rail history, the Middle East Rail gala dinner will be held in the iconic Emirates Towers, and hosted by Wonho Chung, the critically acclaimed stand-up comedian, singer, musician, interviewer and media personality whose popular comedy routine see him highlighting the idiosyncrasies of both the Arab and Far Eastern ways of life.

RAIL MIDDLE EAST

Glimpses of Middle East Rail 2012 An effective platform for the industry, Middle East Rail 2012 was ideally positioned for buyers, sellers and railway industry experts to learn, grow and explore business opportunities

This year’s Middle East Rail has 80 free seminars plus a highlevel conference designed to explore the strategy and innovation needed to support the major rail developments

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RAIL MIDDLE EAST

Chugging ahead

Middle East Rail, one of the region’s top strategic conference and technology exhibition, has an excellent track record

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s one of the region’s largest dedicated rail events, Middle East Rail is a premium conference and technology exhibition. Last year the event brought together who’s who of the rail sector to address the main challenges and opportunities towards building the Middle East’s rail network.

The sixth edition of Middle East Rail was held against the backdrop of one of the fastest growing rail sectors in the world. Delegates from the government, rail operators, transport authorities and world class solution providers deliberated on ways to move ahead with plans for metro and freight lines, especially in fast-growing economies like Qatar and the UAE. There were several powerful and insightful presentations by stakeholders from around the globe. Experts

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from Mumbai Metro, London Underground and Copenhagen Metro gave talks on international best practice. Experts discussed the importance of strategy and development within key areas like the transport-tunnelling sector, which is instrumental in the construction of metro lines.

The 2012 exhibition was officially opened by Abdulla Salem Al Katheeri, Executive Director, National Transport Authority, UAE and Dr Nasser Saif Al Mansoori, Director General, National Transport Authority, UAE, accompanied by Saad Al Mohannadi, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Railways Company; Geoff Brian Mee, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Railways Company; Rainer Bomba, State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, Germany; Bassam Mansour, Expert Trains and

Railway Systems, National Transport Authority, UAE. The four-day event saw experts presenting international case studies highlighting ways to transform the transportation infrastructure of the region. These presentations provided delegates with an in-depth know-how into the minds of those driving the Middle East rail industry forward. Pertinently, the exhibition had several highprofile conferences on High Speed Rail World, Middle East Rail and Signalling and Train Control World, specifically designed to give strategic content to senior professionals in the rail sector.

An effective platform for the industry Middle East Rail 2012 was ideally positioned for buyers, sellers and railway industry experts to learn, grow and explore business opportunities. With more than 1,000 attendees from 36 countries, 30,000

The sixth edition of Middle East Rail was held against the backdrop of one of the fastest growing rail sectors in the world

tickets distributed, 62 speakers including rail operators across the region and 38 sponsors and exhibiting companies, the exhibition was a huge success.

The event is expected to continue to evolve in the years to come, attracting more international speakers and establishing more opportunities for business generation and networking.

5-7 February 2013 Dubai World Trade Centre, Halls 3 & 4

3 days of FREE seminars Listen to rail experts discuss the latest exciting technologies and how they are being applied worldwide

Register at www.terrapinn.com/merail/kh1 use promo code kh1

RAIL MIDDLE EAST

Etihad Rail’s wagons reach Mina Zayed The UAE’s rail has received the first shipment of wagons at the Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed port and these will be used in Stage One of the Etihad rail project. Dr Nasser Saif Al Mansoori, CEO of Etihad Rail, said the timely arrival of the wagons is yet another indicator of the rapid progress being made on the project.

“Construction activity for the first stage of the rail project, which is being developed in partnership with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), is on track to see the first trains

run from Habshan to Ruwais within a year using these wagons. Etihad Rail’s wagons were carefully manufactured and designed based on several studies and research efforts conducted in collaboration with different suppliers, leading us to adopt some of the most advanced rail technologies available in the world.

The rail project will change the face of transportation in the UAE, playing a significant role in building a sustainable economy by promoting growth in various business sectors, providing

jobs for the local workforce, and contributing to environmental preservation, since one fully loaded train produces 70 to 80 per cent less CO2 emissions than that of the trucks required to transport the same tonnage,” said Dr Al Mansoori.

The Khalifa Port will be linked to Etihad Rail’s network during Stage Two of the construction process.

Linking Abu Dhabi’s ports with the Etihad Rail network will create a multi-modal transportation system that will contribute to Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.

The rail project will change the face of transportation in the Uae

Etihad Rail, GSL ink deal Etihad Rail has signed an MoU with Dubai-based Global Shipping & Logistics, or GSL, a subsidiary of the Al Shirawi Group of companies and a leading third-party logistics provider.

The agreement will allow GSL to use the Etihad Rail network for a cold chain — a temperaturecontrolled supply chain.

It is a strategic move for GSL, whose client base includes international and local brands of premium restaurant chains and food items.

“Etihad Rail aims to offer customised solutions to UAE businesses to foster growth within the UAE. We are proud to provide GSL, a leading UAE-based third party logistics provider, reach into the MENA region and Asia with a sustainable transportation solution that will positively impact its customers and the UAE community,” said Dr Al Mansoori, CEO of Etihad Rail.

Recycled building wastes to be used in Etihad Rail work Recycled aggregates from construction and demolition wastes will be used in the development of the Etihad Railway Network in Abu Dhabi. The venture will take place under a strategic agreement between the Centre for Waste Management (CWM) and contractor Thiess Services Middle East (TSME) to manage a recycling facility for construction and demolition wastes.

TSME will supply at least

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750,000 tonnes of recycled aggregates to Al Jaber Group for the completion of the railway project’s first phase.

The contract will save five million kilometres in the transportation of construction materials by truck, reducing the project’s financial and environmental costs.

“The use of recycled aggregates brings important technical, environmental and economic benefits to our customers and to Abu Dha-

bi,” said TSME General Manager Tim Harwood.

Production at the Al Dhafra recycling facility, the first of its kind in the Middle East, was temporarily ceased in 2011 due to insufficient sale orders. Renewed interest in using recycled material to construct major infrastructure projects, including highways and ports, has led the CWM to anticipate the restart of production in the near future.

The facility processes 98 per cent of inflowing raw construction and demolition waste (by weight) into highquality recycled aggregates, at a rate of up to 600 tonnes per hour.

The first sections of the Etihad Railway Network, where the recycled aggregates will be used, are being constructed between Shah and Ruwais. Phase one of the 1,200 km railway is slated for completion in 2014.

RAIL MIDDLE EAST Etihad Rail signs MoU with CWM Etihad Rail, the master developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, has signed an MoU with the Centre of Waste Management (CWM), Abu Dhabi. The agreement will allow CWM to use the Etihad Rail as a vital component in its future sustainable waste transport system, integrating the network into its plans to convert waste into energy and using Etihad Rail’s custom made rail concepts to centralise its services and facilities.

The MoU was signed

by Etihad Rail CEO Dr Nasser Saif Al Mansoori and CWM General Manager Mohamed Rashid Al Hameli. It demonstrates the commitment of both CWM and Etihad Rail to implement the UAE government’s vision to build a greener and more sustainable future.

Dubai Metro has an ‘excellent’ score The Dubai Metro has a fault rate of only one in every four million kilometres. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said that one fault is registered in one Metro car every 800,000 km. Such a rate is considered excellent when measured by the standards of modern trains’ faults worldwide.

Metro Depot at Jebel Ali is spread across 110,000 square metres and acts as a standby

control centre for operating the Metro in case of any failure in the Control Centre at Al Rashidiya. Operation tests are carried out regularly for all the facilities of Jebel Ali Metro Depot to measure their operational readiness.

The depot has a capacity to house 40 trains and the workshop carries out internal cleaning of 20 trains and body washing of eight trains per day. The control centre monitors train movement, provides passenger informa-

tion systems, manages train entry into railway, controls the operation and stopping of trains, monitors the environmental control, and watches the power supply feed for trains and stations.

It also supervises the safety systems such as firefighting, ventilation of tunnels and stations, and train air-conditioning. It also verifies the safety of the doors, brakes and engines of each train individually.

— Agencies

DHL partners with Etihad Rail DhL, one of the world’s leading logistics companies, has signed an MoU with Etihad Rail, which will help the DHL Express operator further reduce its environmental impact as part of its global GoGreen company policy.

The pact with Etihad Rail highlights DHL’s continued commitment towards meeting its environmental responsibilities. When operational, one Etihad Rail train is expected to remove up to 300 trucks from the UAE’s roads. DHL will also be able to utilise and support the state-of-the-art transportation developments that the UAE has to offer.

The MoU announcement

was attended by Frank-Uwe Ungerer, Country Manager for DHL Express in the UAE, and Dr Hazem Mobarak, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Rail.

The pact will allow DHL to use the rail network as soon as Etihad Rail’s second stage is operational, helping DHL with connections between Jebel Ali in Dubai and Ghweifat at the Saudi Arabian border. The network will subsequently assist with transportation across the rest of the emirates.

Commenting on the new agreement, Frank-Uwe Ungerer, Country Manager for DHL Express in the UAE, said: “We are delighted to be

the first logistics company to collaborate with Etihad Rail.

This is a new and innovative milestone for DHL in the UAE, which will enable us to further enhance our competitive logistical performance and develop our cross-border services, in order meet our customers growing logistical needs.

“This move will help make a real difference to the local environment and reflects GoGreen, our global programme for environmental protection. This is part of our wider organisational strategy to operate responsibly in our local communities.”

Dr Hazem Mobarak, Acting CEO of Etihad Rail add-

ed: “The Etihad Rail project will provide a safe, cost-effective and more environmentally friendly mode of transport, bringing considerable benefits to businesses in their operations. We are very proud to be partnering with DHL, one of the world’s leading logistics companies, to create a more efficient and environmentally friendly business solution for them in the UAE.” DHL has been a pioneer in the Middle East logistics industry over the last 30 years through its innovation, service excellence and commitment to providing customers with superior logistics solutions.

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Etihad Rail inks pact with Sharaf Logistics EtIhad Rail has signed an MoU with Sharaf Logistics, one of the flagship companies of Sharaf Group. The agreement will allow Sharaf Logistics, provider for supply chain solutions with a history in maritime and container shipping, to use the Etihad Rail network to transport goods.

With offices throughout the UAE — in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Jebel Ali, Dubai Airport Free Zone and Rashidiya — and presence in Asia and Africa (namely in Pakistan, India, China, Egypt and Nigeria), Sharaf Logistics provides services to a number of carriers operating in the UAE. It includes sea freight, airfreight, seaair cargo and supply chain management.

Stage Two of the Etihad Rail network, which will connect Mussafah, the Gulf ports and the Saudi and Omani borders, will bring significant benefits to the logistics company. The rail network will present the freight and logistics provider with a faster, more reliable

and sustainable mode of transport in a major area of its customer network.

The agreement comes at a time of rapid progress for Etihad Rail, with construction on Stage One underway and tendering for Stage Two in progress.

Commenting on the MoU, Shadi Malak, Executive Director-Commercial, Etihad Rail said: “At Etihad Rail, we aim to offer transport solutions to the UAE’s businesses, which in turn benefit the UAE economy on the whole.

We are delighted to be working with Sharaf Logistics — one of the nation’s leading freight and logistics companies — to provide them with a safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly way of transporting their customers’ goods. It is an honour to partner with another UAE company that contributes to the country’s growth and economic development, and we are confident this agreement will bring positive impact to customers, further contributing to the UAE’s development as

a regional hub for freight transport.”

Managing Director of Sharaf Logistics, Johan Bergwerff added: “We believe the rail network will be the most effective means of transportation for freight and that it will create a great value-add to our customers. We are very proud to be associated with the Etihad Rail project and eager to continue being engaged as it further develops, and we look forward to experiencing the newer and more efficient transport avenues that we anticipate will change the way we do business.”

Upon completion, the Etihad Rail network, which will cater to both freight and passengers, will span a total of 1,200 km across the emirates.

It will connect urban and remote communities, facilitate trade, open-up communication channels and foster economic development. The network will also form a vital part of the GCC Railway Network — linking the UAE to Saudi Arabia via Ghweifat in the west and Oman via Al Ain in the east.

Dh220 bn of rail projects in the Gulf In the backdrop of rising interest in rail construction in the Gulf and projects worth Dh220 billion present in the sector, PMV Live discussed best practice in the construction of these extensive projects.

A presentation from Feras S Naser, a Railway Engineering Researcher from the University of Birmingham on GCC Railways debated the most effective ways to design and construct rail projects in the sandy landscape of the GCC. The GCC railways project, which will unify all six GCC nations, accounts for more than 40 per cent of the total value, according to a

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report commissioned by PMV Live.

“This is a topic which has attracted a significant amount of interest, highlighted by the full attendance at Naser’s session,” said Nathan Waugh, event manager for PMV Live. “This is a sector of the industry that is picking up speed quickly, and we have found that many of our participants in the show wanted access to insight and information.

With such significant budgets behind these projects, we envisage it will be a key trend for PMV Live and collocated events Middle East Concrete and The Big 5 for many upcoming years.”

Etihad Rail and Sharjah Cement sign agreement Etihad Rail has inked an MoU with Sharjah Cement Factory, a venture of Sharjah Cement & Industrial Development Company (SCIDC), marking the first prospective customer for Stage Three of the rail network. The agreement will allow Sharjah Cement Factory to use rail for transporting basic raw materials and cement to its customers throughout the UAE. The MoU, signed by Dr Nasser Saif Al-Mansoori, CEO of Etihad Rail, and Ahmad Abdalla Al Noman, Chairman of Sharjah Cement Factory, will facilitate the transport of more than five million metric tonnes (MT) of cargo per year – volume that matches more than half of the factory’s existing logistics needs. The agreement will offer Sharjah Cement Factory a logistics solution that will enhance its competitive advantage, reduce transport costs and improve efficiency through allowing the company to use a mode of transport that is safer and more environmental friendly than trucks.

Dr Al Mansoori, CEO of Etihad Rail, said: “The agreement with Sharjah Cement Factory is of great significance as it marks Etihad Rail’s first customer for Stage Three of the strategic national rail project, which will contribute to the UAE’s economic growth. We are delighted to provide the local factory with a sustainable transport solution that will positively impact its customers and the UAE community, in line with UAE Vision 2021.”