NAT - High Speed Rail Network: Greater Cairo-Aswan Railway Line (Phase 2)

General Information
Owner National Authority for Tunnels (NAT)
Masterplan Project (Parent Profile) NAT Egypt – High Speed Rail Network – Suez
Location Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Status --
Sector Transport, Infrastructure, Railway
Contract Type Design Build (DB)
Onshore/Offshore Onshore
Greenfield/Brownfield Greenfield
Progress 53
Estimated Budget Value ---
Contract Value 8000
Net Value $8000m
Award Date May 2022
Completion Date December 2025
Last Updated On March 2024
ProjectId (Old, New) 353101, 353101


National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) is planning to develop an electrified line from the Greater Cairo region from 6th October City along the Nile River with Aswan in Egypt.

The phase II is also known as Blue line.

The length of train lines extending from Cairo to Aswan is of 1,100 km. The design speed of line is 250 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/hr for freight trains. The project is also know as "Blue Line". The line includes 35 stations (9 express + 26 regional).

The US$9000 million project includes the following:

1. Laying of railway track 1,100 km from Cairo to Abu Simbel passing through Luxor and Aswan

2. Construction of railway stations (35 stations (9 express + 26 regional)

3. Construction of railway platforms

4. Construction of railway Workshop

5. Installation of signaling and communication systems

6. Rolling stock

7. Track works

8. Civil works

9. Associated facilities

Second Section

27 March 2024

Construction works are progressing on the project

25 January 2024

Construction works are progressing on Luxor, Armant, and Esna stations.

14 December 2023

The construction works are progressing on the project

18 October 2023

The client is negotiating with international financing institutions to secure a $2.1 billion concessional loan for the implementation of the project.

22 August 2023

The construction works are progressing on the project.

05 June 2023

The construction works are progressing as per schedule on the project.

27 February 2023

Construction works are progressing on the project.

17 November 2022

The World Bank Group (WBG) has approved a $400 million development financing agreement for the project.

27 October 2022

Siemens is the consultant and construction works are progressing on the project.

20 October 2022

Construction works are progressing on the project and the timeframe for completion is unknown at this juncture.

01 June 2022

The consortium of Siemens Mobility, The Arab Contractors and Orascom Construction has appointed as the main contractor on the project.

19 May 2022

The consortium of Siemens, The Arab Contractors and Orascom Construction is still negotiating and the official signing is expected by end of May 2022.

04 April 2022

The client is still negotiating with Siemens lead consortium for the main contract. (Source: MEED)

03 March 2022

The client is in talks with consortium comprising Siemens, The Arab Contractors and Orascom Construction to finalize the contract on the project. Currently technical and financial evaluation is ongoing. It is understood that Siemens will do signaling and communication systems and supply rolling stock while The Arab Contractors and Orascom Construction will do civil and construction works.

09 January 2022

The main contract tender is expected to be issued by the first quarter of 2022. (Source: MEED)

06 September 2021

Design works are ongoing on the project.