Rail Baltica project launches global market survey to industry leaders

Credit: Rail Baltica

To ensure a smooth transition to a full-scale construction phase, the Rail Baltica joint venture “RB Rail AS” and Latvian national implementing body SIA “Eiropas Dzelzceļa Līnijas” (EDZL) is launching a global industry survey, aiming to gather responses to the industry’s readiness and expectations of the fast-approaching construction procurements. This includes the Rail Baltica mainline construction procurement in Latvia, which is planned to be launched in October 2021 by EDZL.

“Despite COVID-19, which has had a visible impact on many industries, including construction, the Rail Baltica project keeps showing good progress entering the next phase and preparing for large-scale construction works,” said Agnis Driksna, CEO and Member of the Management Board of the Rail Baltica joint venture RB Rail AS.

“The Rail Baltica joint venture has already launched its first consolidated procurements for the supply of railway materials and components, including for the railway turnouts and expansion joints, sleepers with fastening systems and under sleeper pads, as well as cable ducts and other construction materials.

“Additionally, we are in the last stages of developing a comprehensive Rail Baltica Global Project construction strategy, which will, among other things, feature pioneering elements ranging from centralised component sourcing and FIDIC best practice contracts, to widen application of digital engineering systems, such as BIM, GIS, and AIM. These are the next significant milestone towards successfully launching large-scale construction works in all three Baltic countries for the Rail Baltica mainline.”

“Global market surveys are a routine that the joint venture has established a while ago to ensure a best practice approach and transparent process throughout the whole procurement, while actively promoting equal access and fair competition for these milestone tenders,” added Agnis.

In addition to the construction market survey, participants will be invited to a dedicated online seminar, which is expected to take place on 8 September 2021. Furthermore, the Rail Baltica joint venture by RB Rail AS also intends to organise a round of intensive B2B consultations with select respondents and the primary focus of the consultations based on Global Project construction strategy development.

“This is a remarkable milestone in the implementation of the Rail Baltica project, as part of preparation works for the main line construction procurement in Latvia are to be launched in Autumn 2021. We expect to meet many experienced market participants from across the industry and worldwide that will contribute to the success of connecting Latvian Rail Baltica’s main line to the EU railway network,” said Kaspars Vingris, SIA Eiropas dzelzceļa līnijas Chairman of The Management Board.