02 March 2013
MUSCAT -- Intermodal freight yards allowing for the seamless movement of goods between the country's road, rail and even maritime transportation systems are envisioned at several locations along the length of the Oman National Railway network. According to provisional plans drawn up by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, intermodal yards are proposed to be established at nine key junctions during the first phase of the project's implementation.
Major intermodal yards are planned at Sohar, Barka, Al Misfah (near Rusayl), Sunaynah (Buraimi Governorate), and Duqm, while modest-sized yards are proposed at Al Buraimi, Al Suwaiq (where a new port is envisaged in the future) and Sinaw. Khatmat Malahah on Oman's border with the United Arab Emirates is also proposed to host a medium-sized intermodal yard primarily to cater for freight customs procedures, cargo hold-ups, and other formalities. Yards planned at Sohar and Duqm will be designed keeping in sight freight volumes and types of cargoes handled by the industrial ports in operation at the respective locations.
In fact, the suitability of these sites, as well as the scope and capacity of the intermodal yards envisioned at these locations, are among a raft of issues that will be reviewed as part of the Preliminary Design package currently out to tender. As many as 20 mainly international firms are preparing to bid for the prestigious contract. Bids close on March 25, 2013.
The 1,061-kilometre national network will be built in phases. Phase 1 will consist of four segments: (i) from Sohar Port to Muscat (comprising a 242km link from Sohar Port to Al Misfah (Muscat), 58km length from Sohar to Khatmat Malaha on the UAE border, an 8km spur line to Sohar Railway Yard, and a 20km link from Al Misfah to Muscat Central Station; (ii) from Muscat to Duqm Port (comprising a 486km line from Al Misfah to Duqm, and an 84km link from Sinaw to Ibra; (iii) from Sohar to the UAE border via Al Ain (comprising a 136km line from Sohar to Al Ain and a 27km spur to Buraimi.
In addition to a number of passenger and freight yards, the National Railway network will also be anchored by two major maintenance hubs tentatively planned at Al Misfah and Duqm. Light maintenance facilities are also proposed at Sohar, Al Hazm, Barka, Al Zurub and Sinaw. Major workshop facilities for the maintenance of rolling stock will be developed at Al Misfah, while smaller sheds for the routine maintenance of rolling stock will be built at Sohar, Sinaw, Duqm, Al Buraimi and Sunaynah, according to authorities.
Furthermore, depending upon the recommendations of the Preliminary Design Consultant, training centres are proposed to be set up at either Barka or Al Misfah to help prepare Omanis for the thousands of jobs that will become available once the nationwide network is operational.
Estimated to cost RO 6 billion, the Oman National Railway will serve port terminals, bulk terminals, mining locations, logistics centres and passenger stations. As part of its brief, the selected Preliminary Design Consultant will undertake the provisional design of all of the key components of the giant project, including the alignment, track works, infrastructure, civil works, tunnels and structure, signalling and telecom systems, and the functional design of rolling stock. Besides, the consultant will also develop the tender documents for the Design & Build contractors.
A tender is also due to be floated later this year for a Project Management Consulting Engineer. The selected bidder will be required to provide consultancy services for establishing an Oman Railway Organisation, review and approve the designs provided by the Preliminary Design Consulting Engineer, provide contract management and construction supervision; project management services; oversee the procurement of rolling stock, as well as the selection of a rail transport operator.
Further, to implement the railway project, the Ministry will also weigh the benefits of appointing a Construction Supervisor and an Independent Certification Engineer (ICE).
MUSCAT -- Intermodal freight yards allowing for the seamless movement of goods between the country's road, rail and even maritime transportation systems are envisioned at several locations along the length of the Oman National Railway network. According to provisional plans drawn up by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, intermodal yards are proposed to be established at nine key junctions during the first phase of the project's implementation.
Major intermodal yards are planned at Sohar, Barka, Al Misfah (near Rusayl), Sunaynah (Buraimi Governorate), and Duqm, while modest-sized yards are proposed at Al Buraimi, Al Suwaiq (where a new port is envisaged in the future) and Sinaw. Khatmat Malahah on Oman's border with the United Arab Emirates is also proposed to host a medium-sized intermodal yard primarily to cater for freight customs procedures, cargo hold-ups, and other formalities. Yards planned at Sohar and Duqm will be designed keeping in sight freight volumes and types of cargoes handled by the industrial ports in operation at the respective locations.
In fact, the suitability of these sites, as well as the scope and capacity of the intermodal yards envisioned at these locations, are among a raft of issues that will be reviewed as part of the Preliminary Design package currently out to tender. As many as 20 mainly international firms are preparing to bid for the prestigious contract. Bids close on March 25, 2013.
The 1,061-kilometre national network will be built in phases. Phase 1 will consist of four segments: (i) from Sohar Port to Muscat (comprising a 242km link from Sohar Port to Al Misfah (Muscat), 58km length from Sohar to Khatmat Malaha on the UAE border, an 8km spur line to Sohar Railway Yard, and a 20km link from Al Misfah to Muscat Central Station; (ii) from Muscat to Duqm Port (comprising a 486km line from Al Misfah to Duqm, and an 84km link from Sinaw to Ibra; (iii) from Sohar to the UAE border via Al Ain (comprising a 136km line from Sohar to Al Ain and a 27km spur to Buraimi.
In addition to a number of passenger and freight yards, the National Railway network will also be anchored by two major maintenance hubs tentatively planned at Al Misfah and Duqm. Light maintenance facilities are also proposed at Sohar, Al Hazm, Barka, Al Zurub and Sinaw. Major workshop facilities for the maintenance of rolling stock will be developed at Al Misfah, while smaller sheds for the routine maintenance of rolling stock will be built at Sohar, Sinaw, Duqm, Al Buraimi and Sunaynah, according to authorities.
Furthermore, depending upon the recommendations of the Preliminary Design Consultant, training centres are proposed to be set up at either Barka or Al Misfah to help prepare Omanis for the thousands of jobs that will become available once the nationwide network is operational.
Estimated to cost RO 6 billion, the Oman National Railway will serve port terminals, bulk terminals, mining locations, logistics centres and passenger stations. As part of its brief, the selected Preliminary Design Consultant will undertake the provisional design of all of the key components of the giant project, including the alignment, track works, infrastructure, civil works, tunnels and structure, signalling and telecom systems, and the functional design of rolling stock. Besides, the consultant will also develop the tender documents for the Design & Build contractors.
A tender is also due to be floated later this year for a Project Management Consulting Engineer. The selected bidder will be required to provide consultancy services for establishing an Oman Railway Organisation, review and approve the designs provided by the Preliminary Design Consulting Engineer, provide contract management and construction supervision; project management services; oversee the procurement of rolling stock, as well as the selection of a rail transport operator.
Further, to implement the railway project, the Ministry will also weigh the benefits of appointing a Construction Supervisor and an Independent Certification Engineer (ICE).
© Oman Daily Observer 2013
