By Ashley Karen
France’s NGE and TSO, its rail expertise subsidiary, have signed a contract to construct 330 kilometers of an Egypt high-speed rail line linking the Red Sea Port of Sokhna with Borg al-Arab near the Mediterranean port of Alexandria.
In May 2022, Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels signed a contract with Siemens Mobility, Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors to construct 2,000km of high-speed rail tracks for what is predicted to be the world’s sixth-largest such network.
The awarded section is part of a 600km double-track line which is said to expand to Marsa Matrouh on Egypt’s northwest coast.
In addition, another line is scheduled for construction from Cairo to Luxor. A third line between Luxor and Hurghada on the Red Sea coast is also planned.
As NGE claimed, it will provide its expertise and human and material resources to local companies, Orascom and Arab Contractors, for the contract.
Works will begin in early 2023 and will need the mobilization of up to 500 people on site.
The latest comprises the installation of over 100 turnouts between the cities of Ain Al Sokhna and Borg El Arab, through the October 6 City.
COO of international and major projects at NGE, Orso Vesperini, stated: “We are proud to make a significant contribution to this project, which will provide nearly 90 percent of the Egyptian population with access to fast and reliable public transport,”
“It will also make a significant contribution to sustainability by shifting freight traffic to rail and stimulating Egypt’s economic development,” added Vesperini.
He also claimed: “Building and renovating infrastructure to serve territories around the world is our primary mission, our raison d’être, and this project fits perfectly with achieving this ambition,”
“This new success is in line with our strategy to double our international business by 2025.”
