Tender for assets company for KL-Singapore HSR called

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Singapore have called for a  joint tender for an assets company (AssetsCo) for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project. 

In a joint statement issued by MyHSR Corporation Sdn Bhd of Malaysia and SG HSR Pte Ltd of Singapore on Wednesday, they said bidders will have until June 29, 2018 to submit their proposals.

“A tender briefing will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 23, 2018. Through this open, fair and transparent procurement process, MyHSR Corp and SG HSR target to jointly select a qualified bidder by the end of next year,” they said.

All tender submissions will be evaluated for their technical solution, commercial robustness, financial sustainability and price.

The AssetsCo will be responsible for designing, building, financing and maintaining all rolling stock, as well as designing, building, financing, operating and maintaining all rail assets (e.g. trackwork, power, signalling and telecommunications).

The AssetsCo will also coordinate the system’s network capacity for operations and maintenance needs.

The call for tender follows extensive preparations by MyHSR Corp and SG HSR since the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR Bilateral Agreement was signed by both governments in December 2016.

They said the project is a complex and extensive transport infrastructure project for both countries, which will generate huge socio-economic benefits arising from the increased connectivity and travel efficiencies. 

MyHSR Corp  CEO Datuk Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal said: “We are delighted with the progress thus far with the submission of the Section 4 Land Acquisition Act completed, on-going Public Inspection for alignment within Malaysia, recently launched Project Delivery Partner (PDP) and today’s joint tender launch of AssetsCo. 

“We welcome all interested parties to submit their best proposal for the AssetsCo tender,” he said.

SG HSR managing director Rama Venkta said: “Today marks a major milestone for this game-changing project, which will dramatically improve connectivity between Singapore and Malaysia. 

“We are heartened by the enthusiastic response from the market for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR so far. Their feedback at the two industry briefings has been valuable in helping us design the parameters of the AssetsCo tender.”