The operator has entered into an agreement with ALSTOM Transport Systems (Malaysia) and a joint venture consisting of IJM Construction and Pestech Technology (IJMC-Pestech JV), to steer the Aerotrain Replacement Project.
Under the terms of this agreement, Alstom, the new Aerotrain's original equipment manufacturer (OEM), will serve as the project coordination lead and be responsible for the coordination works to recommence the project and deliver three new trains and two lines by Q1 2025.
In making this decision, the Board of Malaysia Airports considered two key focus areas, which were (1) keeping to the agreed, fit-for-purpose technology, and (2) ensuring the project can meet the original timeline for the operations of both lines.
As project coordination lead, Alstom was entitled to select partners for elements of the project outside its scope. Alstom opted to work with the IJMC-Pestech JV for work scopes involving civil engineering and train power supply components, among others. Alstom will take up the majority of the scope of work in the project.
To ensure project continuity and adherence to the original timeline, this new contract with Alstom, excluding operation and maintenance, is expected to incur a cost increase which will be capped at 15%, bringing the project cost to RM456.1m ($96.7m). This increase is attributed to interest holding costs, foreign exchange considerations, remobilisation expenses, as well as project coordination fees to Alstom.
Malaysia Airports’ acting group chief executive officer, Mohamed Rastam Shahrom, said this is an acceptable variance for this project and allows it to get back on track. “The decision to deliver three trains and completing both lines simultaneously allows optimal replacement works, to achieve the project completion date as originally planned,” he concluded.
