A region of the world which is likely to see a lot of activity in the rail sector is the Middle East and over the course of 2013 Train Times will include detailed articles on various developments in the region. At the start of the New Year, it seems appropriate to look ahead to see what 2013 (and the years that follow) might have in store.

Qatar

With over US$41 billion of projects in the pipeline (representing approximately a quarter of the total projects by value in the region), Qatar is the jewel in the region's crown. Much of the impetus for this has been provided by the award to Qatar of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and this should lead to the development of one of the most modern railway networks in the world – the Doha Metro. If the full plans are implemented (and this remains a live issue), the metro system would have an overall length of 300 km and 98 stations. This compares with the London tube network which is 402 km and 270 stations which gives an idea of the scale of what the Qataris are looking to achieve. Construction of the first phase of the Doha Metro is intended to begin early this year and is expected to be completed in 2019.

Other projects in Qatar are the Lusail City Light Rail Scheme (which is intended to connect various districts within the Lusail development and the Doha Metro), the West Bay People Mover (a 10 km looped metro system linking Doha Peninsula and financial district with the red line of the metro) and the Qatar High Speed Lines and Freight Lines (long distance, high speed lines linking Qatar with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia).

Saudi Arabia

Although Qatar has a very impressive programme, there are question marks over whether the full programme will be delivered so Qatar may be eclipsed by Saudi Arabia, as its pipeline has an estimated value of US$40 billion. The Mecca to Medinah line is a US$16 billion scheme intended to provide a high speed railway between Mecca and Medinah. In 2011, a Saudi/Spanish consortium was awarded the contract for the track and signalling, for the supply of rolling stock and for the operation and maintenance of the system for 12 years. The system is expected to become operational next year.

The North-South line is a further significant development being a 2,400 km single track network and the largest railway construction project in the world. It is primarily a freight route to transfer freight from the north of Saudi Arabia to the Gulf Coast, making Saudi Arabia the second largest mineral exporter in the world. Trial operations commenced in 2011.

One of the best known projects in Saudi Arabia is the Landbridge Project. This has had a chequered history as it started life as a PPP. A preferred bidder was announced in April 2008 but, in December of that year, all four bidders were invited to re-tender. This tender was abandoned in 2009 and it has now been decided to develop the project on the basis of EPC contracts.

Further heavy rail projects which are in the pipeline include the Al-Taaf and Khamis Mesheet to the Landbridge, Gizan to Jeddah and Yanbu to Jeddah. The first two lines will be mixed use (passengers and freight) whereas the Yanbu to Jeddah line will primarily be for freight use. In addition to all of this, the Saudi limb of the GCC rail project is expected to be tendered at some point during this year and the Jubail-Damman link on Saudi's east coast may also be tendered this year.

The schemes referred to above are being procured traditionally but one scheme which may be let as a PPP is the New Bahrain Causeway. This scheme has reached the feasibility stage.

There are also various light rail schemes being promoted including the Riyadh Metro (which is currently in procurement) and the Jeddah Metro (which should reach procurement later this year). The Mecca Metro opened in 2010.

Finally, there is the Mecca Mass Transit Project which involves the construction of four rail lines and more than 180 km of track. Late last year, requests for proposals were requested for a programme management office consultant to advise on the development of this scheme. It had originally been intended to develop this scheme as a PPP but is now being promoted on a traditional basis.

UAE

Dubai has, of course, developed its own metro which is operated by Serco under contract which is due to expire in 2014. During the course of this year, we may see the commencement of a competition for an operator to run the metro once Serco's contract expires, although the RTA may prefer to operate the network itself utilising staff which have been trained by Serco. In addition, the RTA in Dubai are looking to develop the Al Sufouh Transit System.

Turning to Abu Dhabi, Etihad Rail (an US$8 billion scheme to create a network of 1,200 km of track within the UAE for freight and passenger use) is currently being constructed. Construction of the Abu Dhabi Metro is scheduled to commence during this year.

Kuwait

Kuwait has been an enthusiastic supporter of PPP structures but progress to date has been faltering. The Kuwait Metro is a three line metro network that will be developed over five phases and the current intention appears to be that it will be procured as a number of PPPs. Phase One is divided into the supply of rolling stock and systems, development of the infrastructure and operation of the trains. The procurement of the first of these phases has commenced but is currently believed to be stalled pending completion of Az Zour Independent Water & Power Project. Promising news on this emerged this month so it is anticipated that 2013 will see further progress in respect of this project.

A further project which is in the pipeline in Kuwait is the Kuwait High Speed Rail Project which is its part of the GCC network. This project looks likely to be developed as a PPP and is currently in the feasibility stage.

Oman

Oman's National Railway Network comprises a double track, standard gauge system for the introduction of high speed trains with speeds of up to 350 km per hour. The rail system will form part of the planned GCC rail network connecting Oman with the UAE and other Gulf countries. The scheme has previously been tendered but this process may now be scrapped and there are signs that the project will now be re-tendered in three stages – preliminary design, detailed design and build and project management consultancy and supervision services.

Iraq

Little information is available about Iraq's plans for the rail sector save that there are a number of schemes in the pipeline. These include a high speed rail line between Basra and Baghdad, the upgrade of the track from Baghdad to Mosul, various metro schemes and the Karbala monorail. This latter scheme will be an 18 km long monorail with 20 stations.

Jordan

Jordan is another country which appears to be embracing PPP structures but, to date, it has not made a great deal of progress in delivering rail projects. There are at least four projects in the pipeline, including the Amman to Zarga light rail system, the National Freight Railway, Amman Metro and the Amman-Agaba rail link. Third party support is likely to be required to get these projects off the ground.

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