www.meedinsight.

com

Middle East Rail and Metro

Projects Report 2014
A comprehensive overview and assessment of the
Middle East rail and metro projects market
A MEED Insight report

Table of contents
Table of contents

List of tables

List of figures

1.

Preface

2.

Executive summary

3.

Introduction

4.

11

3.1
The projects market .......................................................................................................................17
The Gulf
24
4.1
Bahrain ...........................................................................................................................................24
4.1.1
Mainline
25
4.1.2

Metro/light rail

27

4.2
Iraq .................................................................................................................................................29
4.2.1
Mainline
31
4.2.2

Metro/light rail

33

4.3
Kuwait .............................................................................................................................................36
4.3.1
Mainline
37
4.3.2

Metro/light rail

38

4.4
Oman..............................................................................................................................................41
4.4.1
Mainline
42
4.5
Qatar ..............................................................................................................................................46
4.5.1
Mainline
49
4.5.2

Metro/light rail

52

4.6
Saudi Arabia ...................................................................................................................................60
4.6.1
Mainline
63
4.6.2

Metro/light rail

69

4.6.3

Monorail

74

4.7
UAE ................................................................................................................................................77
4.7.1
Mainline
78
4.7.2

Metro/light rail

83

4.8
Yemen ............................................................................................................................................90
4.8.1
Mainline
90
5.

The Levant

92

5.1
Jordan ............................................................................................................................................92
5.1.1
Mainline
93
5.1.2

Metro/light rail

94

5.2
Lebanon .........................................................................................................................................96
5.3
Syria ...............................................................................................................................................98
5.3.1
Mainline
99

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

5.3.2

Metro/light rail

100

5.4
Gaza/West Bank ..........................................................................................................................102
5.4.1
Mainline
103
5.4.2
6.

Metro/light rail

104

North Africa

106

6.1
Algeria ..........................................................................................................................................106
6.1.1
Mainline
108
6.1.2

Metro/light rail

111

6.2
Egypt ............................................................................................................................................116
6.2.1
Mainline railway
117
6.2.2

Metro

118

6.3
Libya .............................................................................................................................................125
6.3.1
Mainline
126
6.3.2

Metro/light rail

127

6.4
Mauritania.....................................................................................................................................128
6.5
Morocco........................................................................................................................................130
6.5.1
Mainline
131
6.5.2

TGV Maroc high-speed line

132

6.5.3

Financing the project

134

6.5.4

Further projects

134

6.5.5

Metro/light rail

135

6.6
Sudan ...........................................................................................................................................137
6.6.1
Mainline
138
6.7
South Sudan.................................................................................................................................140
6.7.1
Mainline
140
6.7.2

Issues

142

6.8
Tunisia ..........................................................................................................................................144
6.8.1
Mainline
145
6.8.2
6.9

Metro/light rail

146

Western Sahara ...........................................................................................................................148

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

List of tables
Table 1: Length of existing and planned tracks (km) .................................................................................... 13
Table 2: Top 20 largest rail and metro projects awarded in the Middle East ................................................ 19
Table 3: Top 20 planned and unawarded rail and metro projects ................................................................ 21
Table 4: Bahrain rail projects ........................................................................................................................ 25
Table 5: Iraq rail projects............................................................................................................................... 30
Table 6: Kuwait rail projects .......................................................................................................................... 37
Table 7: The Kuwait metro ............................................................................................................................ 39
Table 8: Oman rail projects ........................................................................................................................... 42
Table 9: Oman rail network key facts ............................................................................................................ 42
Table 10: Qatar rail projects .......................................................................................................................... 48
Table 11: The mainline rail network: key facts .............................................................................................. 51
Table 12: Major planned and under way rail projects ................................................................................... 69
Table 13: Major planned and under way metro projects ............................................................................... 75
Table 14: UAE rail projects ........................................................................................................................... 77
Table 15: Abu Dhabi metro and LRT packages ............................................................................................ 85
Table 16: The existing Dubai Metro, key facts .............................................................................................. 87
Table 17: Algeria metro and tram projects .................................................................................................. 114
Table 18: Active egyptian mainline rail projects .......................................................................................... 118
Table 19: Major contracts awarded on the LGV Maroc project .................................................................. 133
Table 20: TGV Maroc: TangierCasablanca high speed line, external funding sources ........................... 134
Table 21: Major rail projects ........................................................................................................................ 142
Table 22: Tunis rapid rail network contracts ............................................................................................... 146

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

List of figures
Figure 1: Levant, Gulf and Egypt railway networks ...................................................................................... 11
Figure 2: Maghreb railway networks ............................................................................................................. 12
Figure 3: Value of rail and metro contracts awarded in the Middle East ...................................................... 18
Figure 4: Value of planned and unawarded rail and metro contracts in the Middle East ............................. 20
Figure 5: Top 20 Middle East rail and metro contractors by value of work under execution ........................ 22
Figure 6: Top 20 Middle East futue rail and metro clients by value of work planned ................................... 23
Figure 7: Bahrain planned rail networks ....................................................................................................... 24
Figure 8: The Qatar-Bahrain causeway ........................................................................................................ 27
Figure 9: Iraq rail networks............................................................................................................................ 29
Figure 10: Baghad metro .............................................................................................................................. 33
Figure 11: Baghdad loopline ......................................................................................................................... 34
Figure 12: Kuwait planned rail networks ....................................................................................................... 36
Figure 13: Kuwait city metro network ............................................................................................................ 39
Figure 14: Oman planned rail network .......................................................................................................... 41
Figure 15: Oman planned rail network, Segment One ................................................................................. 43
Figure 16: Qatar planned railway network .................................................................................................... 46
Figure 17: The proposed QIRP delivery schedule ........................................................................................ 48
Figure 18: Qatar planned mainline railway network ...................................................................................... 51
Figure 19: The planned Doha metro with projected completion dates ......................................................... 54
Figure 20: Doha metro network .................................................................................................................... 55
Figure 21: Lusail LRT network ...................................................................................................................... 57
Figure 22: West Bay people mover ............................................................................................................... 58
Figure 23: Planned and existing rail networks .............................................................................................. 60
Figure 24: Planned and existing rail networks .............................................................................................. 62
Figure 25: North-South Railway route ........................................................................................................... 64
Figure 26: Riyadh public transport project metro and bus networks ......................................................... 71
Figure 27: Jeddah transport masterplan ....................................................................................................... 72
Figure 28: The planned Etihad Rail .............................................................................................................. 79
Figure 29: UAE traffic generators ................................................................................................................. 81
Figure 30: UAE traffic generators ................................................................................................................. 82
Figure 31: 2020 commodity forecast ............................................................................................................. 83
Figure 32: Abu Dhabi surface transport masterplan ..................................................................................... 85
Figure 33: Dubai metro network .................................................................................................................... 86
Figure 34: Yemen planned rail network ........................................................................................................ 90
Figure 35: Jordan rail networks ..................................................................................................................... 92
Figure 36: Lebanon planned rail networks .................................................................................................... 96
Figure 37: Syria rail networks........................................................................................................................ 98
Figure 38: Damascus metro network .......................................................................................................... 100
Figure 39: Gaza/West Bank past and proposed rail network ..................................................................... 102
Figure 40: Jerusalem light rail network: current and future plans ............................................................... 104
Figure 41: Algeria rail networks................................................................................................................... 106
Figure 42: Egypt railway network ................................................................................................................ 116
Figure 43: The existing Cairo metro ............................................................................................................ 119
Figure 44: Line 3 of the Cairo metro ........................................................................................................... 120
Figure 45: Line 3, phase 2 of the Cairo metro ............................................................................................ 121
Figure 46: Line 3, phase 3, of the Cairo metro ........................................................................................... 122
Figure 47: Planned lines 4-6 on the Cairo metro ........................................................................................ 123
Figure 48: Libya planned rail networks ....................................................................................................... 125

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

Figure 49: Mauritania rail networks ............................................................................................................. 128

Figure 50: Morocco rail networks ................................................................................................................ 130
Figure 51: Sudan rail networks ................................................................................................................... 137
Figure 52: Planned railway links ................................................................................................................. 142
Figure 53: Tunisia rail networks .................................................................................................................. 144
Figure 54: Tunis metro network .................................................................................................................. 147
Figure 55: Western Sahara rail network ..................................................................................................... 148

Copyright 2014 MEED Media FZ LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright
owner. While every care has been taken in completing this report, no responsibility can
be accepted for any errors or omissions that may occur.

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

Qatar, Egypt and the UAE are the next largest future markets. The latter has the
Abu Dhabi metro and the second phase of the Etihad Rail schemes as well as the
extensions of the Dubai metro.
In Qatar, there are still several contracts to be awarded on the Doha metro in
addition to the main packages on the long-distance passenger and freight
networks. And in Egypt, there are long-held plans to develop lines 4-6 of the Cairo
metro together with high-speed networks from the north to the south of the country.
In total, there is $167bn-worth of active future rail or metro projects planned and
unawarded in the Middle East. This is a rapid increase on the number a decade
ago and signifies one of the largest single sector opportunities in the region. For
contractors, consultants and suppliers alike, it represents a fantastic growth
opportunity and will keep the market busy for years to come.
Figure 3: Value of rail and metro contracts awarded in the Middle East

45000
40000
35000

$m

30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0

Source: MEED Projects

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

18

Table 2: Top 20 largest rail and metro projects awarded in the Middle East
Value
Project
Country
($m) Contractor
ADA - Riyadh Light Rail Transit (Riyadh
Bechtel / Siemens / Almabani / CCC
Metro): Lines 1 & 2
Saudi Arabia
9,450 JV
OHL / Adif / Renfe / Talgo / Indra /
Dimetronic / Cobra / Inabensa /
SRO - Haramain High-Speed Rail Network
Copasa / Imathia / Consultrans /
(HHR): Phase 2
Saudi Arabia
8,396 Ineco / Shoula / Rosan JV
ADA - Riyadh Light Rail Transit (Riyadh
FCC / Freyssinet / Alstom / Samsung
Metro): Lines 4, 5 & 6
Saudi Arabia
7,820 / Strukton / Setec / Typsa JV
ADA - Riyadh Light Rail Transit (Riyadh
Ansaldo STS / Impregilo / L&T /
Metro): Line 3
Saudi Arabia
5,942 Nesma & Partners / Bombardier JV
Kajima Corporation, Mitsubishi
Corporation, Obayashi Corporation,
Dubai RTA - Dubai Metro: Green Line
UAE
3,811 Yapi Merkezi
Kajima Corporation, Mitsubishi
Corporation, Obayashi Corporation,
Dubai RTA - Dubai Metro: Red Line
UAE
3,811 Yapi Merkezi
Aktor / Yapi Merkezi / Larsen &
QRAIL - QIRP: Doha Metro: Gold Line:
Toubro / STFA / Al Jaber Engineering
Tunneling Works
Qatar
3,300 JV
SRO - Haramain High-Speed Rail
Network (HHR): Phase 1: Package 1
(Civil Works)
Saudi Arabia
2,871 Al Rajhi Holding Group
Saudi Binladin Group / HBK
QRAIL - QIRP: Doha Metro: Green Line:
Contracting Company WLL / Porr
Tunneling Works
Qatar
2,520 Solutions JV
QRAIL - QIRP: Doha Metro: Red Line
Impregilo / SKEC / Galfar Al Misnad
North: Tunneling Works
Qatar
2,184 Engineering & Contracting JV
Anesrif - Oued Tlelat to Akid Abbs :
Rizzani de Eccher / Societa Italiana
Phase 1
Algeria
1,815 per Condotte d'Acqua JV
Mecca Municipality - Al Mashaaer
China Railway Construction
Monorail: South
Saudi Arabia
1,800 Corporation Limited (CRCC)
Anesrif - Oued Tlelat to Akid Abbs :
Phase 2
Algeria
1,633 Groupe Etrhb Haddad / FCC JV
Mayoralty of Baghdad - Baghdad Monorail
: Phase 1
Iraq
1,500 Alstom
QRAIL - QIRP: Doha Metro: Red Line
QDVC / GS E&C / AI Darwish
South: Tunneling Works
Qatar
1,500 Engineering JV
Anesrif : Reilzane - Tiaret - Tissem
Railway Line
Algeria
1,300 Groupe Etrhb Haddad / FCC JV
SRO - Haramain High-Speed Rail
Network (HHR): Phase 1: Package 2
(Contract 1)
Saudi Arabia
1,287 Saudi Binladin / Yapi Merkezi JV
SRO - Haramain High-Speed Rail
Network (HHR): Phase 1: Package 2
(Contract 2)
Saudi Arabia
1,267 Saudi Oger/ El Seif JV
QRAIL - QIRP: LRT: Lusail Light Rail
Network (LLRT)
Qatar
1,200 QDVC
QRAIL - QIRP: Doha Metro: Msheireb
Samsung C&T / OHL / Qatar Building
Station
Qatar
1,100 Co JV

Award
year
2013

2011
2013
2013

2005

2005

2014

2009

2013
2013
2007
2009
2010
2013
2013
2010

2011

2011
2012
2013

Source: MEED Projects

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

19

Figure 8: The Qatar-Bahrain causeway

Source: MEED Insight

4.1.2 Metro/light rail

In September 2008, the government approved an integrated transport strategy,
intended to lead to the development of a series of new rail lines as part of plans to
tackle congestion on the countrys roads.
It envisaged a 180km public transport network, including light rail, monorail, tram
and bus rapid transit (BRT) lines. The project was to be implemented over three
phases and completed by 2030, costing an estimated BD3bn ($7.96bn). The
project proceeded as far as the prequalification stage, but has since stalled.
The details of the project are as follows:
Of the total network, some 115km will be rail, with two light rail lines Red and
Brown of 32km and 32.7km in length, a 21km Green tram line and a 29km
monorail Blue Line. The two BRT lines will be 33km and 36.5km.
The Red line light rail system will start at Bahrain International airport and run
through Muharraq and Manama to Isa Town.

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

27

Figure 17: The proposed QIRP delivery schedule

Source: QRail, September 2011

Table 10: Qatar rail projects

Project

Client

Value ($bn)

Scope

Doha metro

Qatar Railways

15.2

Lusail Light
Rail Transit

Qatar Railways

1.2

West Bay
People Mover

Qatar Railways

2.2

Friendship
Bridge
Msheireb tram
National Rail
Network

Education City
People Mover

Qatar Bahrain
Causeway
Foundation
Msheireb
Properties

Qatar Railways
Qatar Foundation
for Education,
Science &
Community
Development

3
na

>10

0.4

234km network above and

underground. Four lines
plus 96 stations

30km of track in Lusail

Line will run from Doha
Convention centre and
tower to other points in
West Bay
40km causeway linking
Qatar to Bahrain, with four
road lanes and two rail
lines
Tram system
486km mainline freight and
high-speed passenger
network
Design, construction,
operation and maintenance
of a people mover tram to
transport students within
Education City

Status
PMC contract awarded.
Three tunneling and one
elevated packages awarded.
Bids for two further elevated
sections to be submitted on
14 April. Bids for rolling
stock and systems contract
submitted on 10 March
PMC awarded. Bids for
rolling stock still under
evaluation. Tunneling and
station infrastructure almost
completed

On hold

On hold, pending completion

of financial negotiations
Postponed
Design contract awarded.
Prequalification invited for
first phase civil works
Construction and design
contracts awarded.
Construction due to be
completed by 2015

PMC=project management consultancy Source: MEED Insight

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

48

For the other contracts bids are due to be submitted on 14 April. Awards on all
three deals should be made by the end of 2014.
Figure 20: Doha metro network

NDIA=New Doha International airport

Sources: DB International; Qatari Diar

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

55

The third line will run alongside and under parts of the Medina and
Al-Munawwarah roads. It will be about 45km long and contain 32 stations.
Line 4 will run north to south alongside Prince Saud bin Mohammad bin Muqrin
Street, from the King Abdullah Financial District and King Khaled International
airport. The line will be about 32km long and include 13 stations.
The fifth line will run in the north-south direction alongside and under King
Abdulaziz Street. The line will run between King Abdullah Financial District and
Batha Street. It will be about 26km long and have 25 stations.
Line 6 will run in an east-west direction along Abdulrahman bin Aouf Street and
Sheikh Hassan bin Hussein bin Ali Street. It will extend between Prince Saad bin
Abdulrahman Street and King Abdullah Road. The line will be about 12km and will
have nine stations.

Figure 26: Riyadh public transport project metro and bus networks

Source: Arriyadh Development Authority

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

71

Figure 31: 2020 commodity forecast

*Assumes GCC rail connections **Does not include transport of empty containers
Source: Etihad Rail Traffic Study

4.7.2 Metro/light rail

Musanada is
now expected to issue
tenders for the
construction of the
metro and LRT
schemes before mid2014

Abu Dhabi
Prompted by increasing traffic congestion and the long-term 2030 Vision for the
emirate, the Abu Dhabi $68bn Surface Transport Masterplan, launched in June
2009, lays out proposals for the development of a metro line and two LRT lines
around Abu Dhabi city by 2030. Following the release of the masterplan, USbased Fluor Corporation won the overarching contract to manage Abu Dhabis
transport network in January 2010.
In early 2012, Abu Dhabis Executive Council approved the Department of
Transports budget for the consultancy work on the capitals metro and tram
networks. Six months later, Aecom and Parsons Brinckerhoff, both US-based, and
Germanys DB International won the study and preliminary design contract for the
metro element of the masterplan. The LRT consultancy element went to a Spanish
joint venture of Typsa and Sener.
The projects moved into the construction procurement stage in the second quarter
of 2013 when the client invited contractors to submit expressions of interest (EoIs).
More than 400 companies did so, with prequalification taking starting two months
later.

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

83

Table 21: Major rail projects

Route
Length
Juba-Nimule
192
Juba-Lokichokio
300

Cost ()
6bn
8bn

Status
Tender for feasibility studies being prepared
Tender for feasibility studies being prepared

Exchange rate: $1=0.77

Source: Directorate of Rail Transport, Transport Ministry

Figure 52: Planned railway links

Sources: Directorate of Rail Transport, Transport Ministry

6.7.2 Issues
The major challenge in developing South Sudans rail network is raising the
necessary finance. According to consultants advising the Transport Ministry, the
rail track alone would cost between $500,000-700,000 a kilometre. Rolling stock,
stations, signalling systems and associated works would all contribute to the huge
project costs that would be incurred in connecting South Sudans towns over long
distances.
In the absence of funds from the export of oil, any rail plans in the near term would
have to be financed by donors or international banks. In March 2012, the African
Development Bank expressed interest in financing a feasibility study for the JubaLokichokio line, but there has been no progress since, according to the Transport
Ministry.

Mena Rail Report 2014

www.meedinsight.com

142

MENA Rail Projects

Report 2014
Order Form
A comprehensive outlook
and review of one of the most
exciting and fastest-growing
rail markets in the world.
Place your order by completing this form.
Your report will be sent in a convenient PDF
format straight to your desktop.

Your details

Payment details

Name ________________________________________
Company name ______________________________
Job title _____________________________________
PO box _____________________________________
Address _____________________________________
______________________________________________
Postcode ___________________________________
Country _____________________________________
Email address for report delivery

Price: $4,995 (Note: subscribers to MEED benefit

from a discount please contact MEED
Insight to find out more)

________________________________________________
Telephone _______________________________
Fax _________________________________________

Price: $5,500 (Executive package inclusive of a

subscription to MEED Magazine & MEED.com.

Note: Original price is $6,490, saving you $990)
Please choose ONE payment method below:
Credit Card
Please debit $____________ from my credit card
Mastercard

Visa

Name of cardholder
___________________________________________
Card number
____________________________________
Expiry date

Signature:

______/___________
Signature

Company stamp:

__________________________________________

How did you hear about this report tick one box
email
advert MEED.com
article in MEED
Other _______________
Data protection
Please tick if you do not wish to be contacted by
MEED or third parties carefully screened by MEED

Return your order now

Please quote priority code: MR3

Tel: +971 (0)4 390 0436
Fax: +971 (0)4 368 8023
Email: insight@meed.com

Bank Transfer
Bank account name: MEED Media FZ LLC
IBAN: AE760200000022156251101
Bank account number: 022-156251-101
SWIFT: BBMEAEAD
Bank: HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Branch: Emaar Square Branch
Address: Building 5, PO Box 502601, Dubai
Please fax a copy of transfer details to:
+971 (0)4 368 8023
Please tick below if you are interested in any other
market intelligence report from MEED Insight
Saudi Arabia Projects 2014

GCC Construction 2014

Mena Oil and Gas 2014

Visit www.meed.com/insight for further information on MEED Insight reports