en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Saudi Qiddiya High-Speed Rail project is expected to officially launch its tender in September this year. According to the Middle East authoritative media MEED, the project previously conducted prequalification using both PPP and EPCF models and has now entered the clarification and Q&A phase after prequalification. The line is designed for a speed of 250 km/h, with a total investment of billions of dollars. The expression of interest phase has attracted 145 internationally renowned companies, covering development, construction, operation, investment, and consulting.
Among the 145 companies previously announced, there are 68 contractors, 23 design and project management consulting firms, 16 investment institutions, 12 railway operators, as well as rolling stock suppliers and other service providers. Aviation Industry Corporation of China, China Railway 18th Bureau Group, China Harbour Engineering Company, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, China Machinery Engineering Corporation, China Railway Construction Corporation International, and China Railway International submitted expressions of interest for "development and contracting"; CRRC Hong Kong and CRRC Changchun submitted expressions of interest for "rolling stock and systems"; MTR Corporation submitted an expression of interest for "operations"; Shanghai Harbour submitted an expression of interest for "design and management consulting."
Meanwhile, international rail transit equipment giants such as France's Alstom, Germany's Siemens Mobility, Spain's CAF, Japan's Hitachi Rail, South Korea's Hyundai Rotem, and Switzerland's Stadler, as well as engineering contractors like France's Bouygues, Spain's FCC Construction, South Korea's Hyundai E&C, India's L&T, Portugal's Mota-Engil, Italy's Webuild, and Turkey's Yap Merkezi, also appear on the expression of interest list, indicating fierce competition. This means that Chinese companies still need to build comprehensive competitiveness in areas such as technical standard adaptation, localized performance, investment and financing plans, and consortium formation to succeed.
The Qiddiya High-Speed Rail is a key supporting transportation facility for Qiddiya City, a flagship project of Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030." Qiddiya City has an overall planned area of approximately 376 square kilometers and is positioned as a world-class integrated destination combining entertainment, sports, and cultural functions. The high-speed rail line will be built in phases, with the first phase planned to connect King Salman International Airport, King Abdullah Financial District, and the new Qiddiya City. Subsequent phases will extend to the "North Pole" development area, the New Murabba development zone, King Salman Park, Riyadh city center, and the southern industrial city.
