Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels has chosen a consortium made up of Siemens Mobility and local companies Arab Contractors and Orascom Construction to design, install and maintain a high-speed rail line in the country.
The multi-billion project will link Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea to Alexandria and Mersa Matruh on the Mediterranean, a distance of about 660km.
Arab Contractors and Orascom’s turnkey contract is worth $4.5bn and includes the construction of track works, signalling, telecoms systems and power substations, as well as 15 years of subsequent maintenance.
Siemens Mobility’s share is worth $3bn and involves providing high-speed and regional trains, locomotives, rail infrastructure and related services.
The line will be capable of transporting 30 million people each year, cutting some travel times in half.
Kamel al-Wazir, Egypt’s minister of transport, said: “This high-speed train will link the New Administrative Capital and new cities to the railway network for transporting passengers and goods. The project will also help promote tourism through a fast, modern, and safe means of transportation characterised by the highest levels of efficiency and safety to meet the needs and expectations of all Egyptians across the country.”
Roland Busch, Siemens’ president, added: “This landmark project will create jobs, boost economic growth, and improve quality of life for millions of people by creating a more efficient, safe and sustainable transport system.
“As a long-standing partner to Egypt, we are committed to providing the most advanced technology and to supporting local skills development.”
Orascom estimates that the railway will create 15,000 direct jobs.
Top image: Alexandria, Egypt (Hecke01/Dreamstime)
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