Oman Ministry of Transport and Communications is set to float fresh tenders for the appointment of a consultant to undertake the ‘preliminary design’ of the Sultanate’s multi-billion dollar national railway project, said a report.

The first phase of the rail network, covering 1,061-km, is expected to be completed by the end of 2018 in line with a target set by the other GCC states in this regard.

Besides the design tender, two other tenders - one for ‘detailed design and build’, and the other for ‘project management consultancy and supervision services’ will be floated, the Oman Daily Observer reported, citing a ministry official.

This was disclosed at the opening session of the Oman Transport Infrastructure Summit organised by Global Exhibitions & Conferences (GEC), it stated.

Salim bin Said al Amri, Deputy Director General of Roads and Head of the Railway Team at the Ministry, said the design package will be retendered in accordance with the directives of the Tender Board, said the report.

On the project timeframe, Al Amri said: “We are aiming for the completion of the design by end of 2014, and the construction phase to start in the third quarter of 2014. We hope to complete the phase 1 (roughly 1,061 km) by 2018 end.”

"The double-track network will be designed for both passenger and freight transportation, although freight movement will be prioritised in the initial phases of the project," he added.