The State of Qatar is pursuing a large and ambitious vision destined to provide the highest standards of living to the country and its citizens by the year 2030. An important component for this is a modern transport infrastructure. Consequently the capital Doha, chronically plagued by congestion, is to receive a completely new, very efficient metro system. The company Herrenknecht was charged with the delivery of 15 high-tech tunnel boring machines for this purpose. Today the Minister of Transport, HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, took a closer look at a first tunnel boring machine for this major project at the Herrenknecht plant in Schwanau together with the former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder.

Doha, Qatar/ Schwanau, Germany, February 25, 2014: The motto for the construction of the new Metro Doha in Qatar says it all: "Accomplishing a Vision". Each of the 15 machines made by Herrenknecht for this huge expansion project will take this motto with it while building the tunnels beneath the capital of Qatar.

Today at the Herrenknecht plant in Schwanau the Minister of Transport , HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, with his delegation composed of senior representatives of the client Qatar Rail and the joint venture QDVC / GS Engineering & Construction / Al Darwish Engineering as well as the Consul of Qatar, inspected the first machine completely finished and ready for use.

During his visit Minister H.E Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti underscored the enormous importance of this project for Doha and the land of Qatar:

"Qatar holds its hopes and aspirations for the future in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030.  One of the most important elements in fulfilling this Vision is the infrastructure of the country itself. As such, we have allocated tremendous resources and a generous budget for upgrading Qatar's infrastructure, to which Qatar Rail's Doha Metro project is also included.

Engineer Abdulla Abdulaziz Turki Al Subaie, Managing Director of Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail), added:

"Qatar Rail has placed full faith in Herrenknecht's abilities to deliver exceptional quality products with attention to detail; that's why this firm has been selected to supply us with the TBMs.

The budget allocated to us will allow us to deliver a state-of-the-art rail system that will give confidence to citizens and residents alike that the network will be unquestionable when it comes to security, comfort, and reliability.

Of course, the benefits of our projects go beyond the transportation sector, and a positive impact will be felt socio-economically and environmentally."

Eng. Saad Ahmed Al Muhannadi, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) commented on the importance of the TBM's technical aspects for the Doha Metro project:

"Tunnel-boring machines are important to the Doha Metro project as there is minimal interference in the day-to-day life of people working and living in Doha as a vast majority of work is done underground with only one point of entry. In addition, the environmental impact is also minimal, with almost no pollutants released into the air or into the groundwater.

A decision will be made soon to determine the best TBM for Qatar's geological makeup; however, the EPBs and Slurry Shield types are most suitable."

Martin Herrenknecht, founder and Chairman of the Board of Management of Herrenknecht AG, thanked the Minister, the client representatives and the contractors for the great confidence in top German technology: "With our high-tech tunnel boring machines and absolute reliability we will contribute everything possible to ensuring Doha gets a metro tunnel system to the highest global standards."

The Lehwaila and Al Wakra Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) shield with a diameter of 7,050 mm and a cutting head drive of 1120 kW was ordered by the joint venture QDVC/GS Engineering /Al Darwish. The joint venture is responsible for the construction of the metro section Red Line South. The "Red Line" will not only handle the bulk of the national transport and connect the most important stadiums of the football World Cup in 2022. As a central line it also connects the city with the airport and the Westbay Central.

For the expansion of the first section of the Doha Metro Herrenknecht is currently supplying a total of 15 Earth Pressure Balance shield tunnel boring machines. By the year 2019 they are to drive about 90 kilometers of tunnel through the limestone foundation of the Qatari capital for the Red Line South, Red Line North and the Green Line.

Further plans envisage the completion of a second section by 2026. Then the Doha metro with 93 stations, four lines and over 354 kilometers total length will connect the residential and business centers of the capital with each other and with the suburbs.



Qatar Rail

Established in 2011, the Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail), was established to design and implement an integrated and world-class railway system for the State of Qatar. Currently one of the largest rail projects in the world, Qatar Rail aims to construct a new rail network, which is environmentally friendly, technologically advanced and will meet the demands of the rapidly expanding population of Qatar.

Supporting each of the four pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030, Qatar Rail will develop a safe, efficient, integrated public transportation network which will provide an attractive and competitive alternative to private transport, capable of achieving a significant modal share. Qatar Rail will be responsible for the design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the entire rail network and systems and will ultimately own and manage Qatar's rail network.

The rail project will form a fundamental and integral element of the National Development Strategy 2011-2016, and will act as a catalyst in realising Qatar's National Vision.

The individual rail projects will comprise of the Doha Metro, Long Distance Network, and Lusail Light Rail Transit (LRT).

Herrenknecht AG

Herrenknecht is the only company worldwide to deliver tunnel boring machines for all ground conditions and all diameters - ranging from 0.10 to 19 meters. The product range comprises tailor-made machines for traffic, supply and disposal tunnels as well as additional equipment and service packages. Herrenknecht also manufactures drilling rigs for vertical and inclined shafts as well as deep drilling rigs. In 2012 the Herrenknecht Group achieved total revenues of 1.135 billion euros. The Herrenknecht Group employs around 5,000 people worldwide, including over 200 trainees. With 78 domestic and overseas subsidiaries and associated companies working in related fields Herrenknecht provides comprehensive services close to each project and customer.

© Press Release 2014