DB develops concept for railway in Qatar

The Qatari government has agreed on a long-term cooperation with Deutsche Bahn (DB) aimed at setting up a modern integrated railway system in Qatar, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to that effect was signed by the investment company Qatari Diar and DB ML AG in Doha at the end of August.

DB will develop the conceptual design and provide consultancy services for these plans, which are based on a multi-billion dollar project cluster involving the establishment of an efficient local transport system in Dohaas well as the development of international freight and passenger lines, including a possible high-speed rail link to Bahrain.

Other infrastructure involved in the project includes:
* The east coast rail link, a passenger and freight railway linking Ras Laffan industrial complex with the new port in Mesaieed via Doha.
* The high speed link between the new international airport and Doha city centre and across the planned causeway bridge to Manama in Bahrain.
* The Doha expressway based on GCC rail studies, which will provide a freight rail link between Qatar and the border to Saudi Arabia.

After the completion of the planning phase, the findings will be presented to His Highness the Emir of Qatar and his government early in the year 2009. <Korea Shipping Gazette>