Doha TBM deal for Herrenknecht
15 TBMs to be supplied for metro project in Qatar’s capital
German tunnel boring machine (TBM) specialist Herrenknecht has revealed details of its massive machine sale for the Doha metro project, with 15 of its huge machines to be deployed in Qatar’s capital.
The announcement follows a tour of Herrenknecht’s production facilities in Germany by Qatar’s Minister of Transport, HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti. Al Sulaiti was shown the Earth Pressure Balance Shield S-860, one out of 15 TBMs Herrenknecht is producing for the Doha Metro.
The S-860 has a 7,050 mm diameter cutting face, which can deliver wheel power of 1,280 kW. The thrusting force of 43,400 kN will be used to bore through 34.7 km of Qatar’s hard and porous limestone.
“Qatar holds its hopes and aspirations for the future in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030,” said Al Sulaiti. “One of the most important elements in fulfilling this vision is the infrastructure of the country itself.
“We have allocated tremendous resources and a generous budget for upgrading Qatar’s infrastructure, in which Qatar Rail’s Doha Metro project is also included.”
Al Sulaiti was accompanied by senior representatives of the client Qatar Rail, and contractors Qatari Diar, Vinci Construction Grands Projects (QDVC) / GS Engineering & Construction (GS E&C) / Al Darwish Engineering (ADE).
The EPB shields, named Lehwaila and Al Wakra, were ordered by the joint venture QDVC/GS Engineering /Al Darwish, responsible for the construction of the metro section Red Line South.
Eng. Saad Ahmed Al Muhannadi, CEO of Qatar Rail, commented on the importance of the TBM’s technical aspects for the Doha Metro project:
“Tunnel boring machines are important to the Doha Metro project as there is minimal interference in the day-to-day life of people working and living in Doha,” said Eng. Saad Ahmed Al Muhannadi, CEO of Qatar Rail, speaking of the operations where a majority of the work is done underground with only one point of entry.
“In addition, the environmental impact is also minimal, with almost no pollutants released into the air or into the groundwater.”
Qatar Rail’s MD, Engineer Abdulla Abdulaziz Turki Al Subaie, said that the company had full faith in Herrenknecht’s “abilities to deliver exceptional quality products with attention to detail.
“That’s why this firm has been selected to supply us with the TBMs,” he said.
In total, Herrenknecht is currently supplying a total of 15 Earth Pressure Balance Shield tunnel boring machines for the expansion of the first section of the Doha Metro Herrenknecht. By 2019, they are to drive almost 90 kilometers of tunnel through the limestone below the Qatari capital for the Red Line South, the Red Line North and the Green Line, helping to relieve Doha’s chronic traffic congestion.
The Red Line will handle the bulk of the national transport, and connect the most important stadiums of the football World Cup in 2022. As a central line, it also connects the city center with the airport and the Westbay Central.
