Qatar Rail, the owner and manager of Qatar’s rail network, has awarded the shadow operator contract for its Long Distance Freight and Passenger rail network to DB International, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, according to information on its website.
DB International will provide advice and prepare deliverables in developing the operation and maintenance of “end-state operator contracts” for the project, according to the Qatar Rail website. The value of the contract is approximately $7m (QAR 25,446,495).
Qatar Rail and DB International did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
DB International’s bid was chosen from among the three bids invited by Qatar Rail, the other two bidders being Serco Projects and SNCF International.
The 510km Long Distance network will connect major residential and industrial areas within Qatar, and be an integral part of the GCC Railway linking the country with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
The design consultancy contract for Phase 1 was awarded last year to a joint venture of Parsons and Systra.
The Qatar Rail website also states it will start a new prequalification process for the project’s civil works this month. The tender is scheduled for release in mid-2015.
DB International has been working on Qatar rail projects since 2008, helping develop the Gulf state’s mainline and metro networks. Other work it has handled includes engineering services, technical consulting and perspective training and qualification of Qatari staff.
