PWC Logistics led consortium qualifies among the finalists for Saudi Landbridge Project

The Government-initiated Landbridge project is the cornerstone of the extensive Saudi Railways Expansion Programme - a massive development designed to transform the Kingdom's existing rail network into a world-class freight and passenger transport system.

The groundbreaking new line will complete an overland transport network between the country's four major economic centres and allow the direct transportation of cargo containers and passengers from the Red Sea to the Gulf.

Landbridge will involve construction of over 940 km of new rail line and will link the existing Dammam-Riyadh railway with the western city of Jeddah, connecting the Red Sea port with Dammam the Gulf port city. The line will also serve the dry port in the capital, Riyadh.

The PWC Logistics consortium is among four consortia, selected from an original nine, to bid to run the multi-billion dollar project.

"In terms of reducing the pressure on supply chain management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, this new railway is indeed a great stride forward for the region,"

said Rod Lancaster Country Manager for PWC Logistics, Saudi Arabia. "We are confident our consortium can make the path easier to tread."

The Saudi Railway Organization (SRO), which envisaged the Landbridge project, issued a statement praising the rival four consortia for succeeding in qualifying for proposal submissions, whilst also indicating the final decision on which will be awarded the tender is far from decided.

"The Supreme Economic Council (SEC), chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, has approved the technical report regarding qualification of the four consortia, which had shown their interest in the Landbridge project," said an SRO statement.