L&T-MHI JV wins contract for Automated People Mover at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport

Dubai, UAE (Rail & Metro Today): Larsen & Toubro (L&T), in consortium with Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has secured a major order to design and build an Automated People Mover (APM) System for Phase 1 of Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, strengthening L&T’s presence in the rapidly expanding Middle East transportation infrastructure market.

The project is being developed by Dubai Aviation City Corporation and implemented through Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects as part of the airport’s long-term, multi-phase expansion programme.

Once fully developed, Al Maktoum International Airport is planned to become the world’s largest airport, with capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of freight annually.

L&T-MHI to deliver integrated APM system

Under the turnkey Design-and-Build contract, the MHI-L&T consortium will be responsible for the design, construction, supply, testing, commissioning and operational readiness of the complete APM system and associated infrastructure.

L&T’s scope will include the design, procurement, delivery and integration of critical systems such as APM guideways, DC traction substations, power distribution, signalling and telecommunications, onboard communication systems, platform screen doors and depot equipment.

The project will require close integration of multiple railway systems and interfaces, with the consortium deploying MHI’s proven Automated People Mover technology alongside L&T’s experience in integrated transportation infrastructure.

L&T strengthens global rail and metro credentials

Commenting on the project, Ramkumar S, Executive Vice President & Head – Transportation Infrastructure, L&T, said the project demonstrates the company’s capabilities in delivering complex integrated APM rail systems.

“With challenging execution milestones, advanced technologies and multiple system interfaces including guideway, power supply, state-of-the-art telecom, platform screen doors and depot equipment, this project exemplifies the scale and complexity of integrated APM Rail Systems that L&T is uniquely positioned to deliver,” he said.

He added that MHI’s proven APM technology, combined with L&T’s integrated systems expertise and engineering capabilities, would support execution with a strong focus on safety and quality.

L&T has established significant capabilities in turnkey Design-Build and EPC solutions for railway and metro projects, covering design, engineering, procurement, project planning, quality control and construction under a single-point responsibility model.

The company is currently executing integrated transportation projects across major networks, including Mumbai Metro, Dhaka Metro and Jakarta MRT.

Al Maktoum Airport to drive next-generation mobility

The Automated People Mover will form an important part of the future airport’s internal transportation infrastructure, enabling efficient movement of passengers across airport facilities as the massive expansion progresses.

The project also comes amid growing investment by governments across the GCC region in next-generation mobility, urban transit and sustainable transportation infrastructure.

For L&T, the Al Maktoum International Airport APM project further expands its international portfolio and strengthens its positioning to pursue emerging opportunities in railway, metro and automated transit systems across West Asia.