On August 22, the “CREC 1553” earth pressure balance shield machine, developed by China Railway Hi-Tech Industry under CREC, successfully passed inspection and was officially rolled off the production line. It will be used in the Dubai Metro Blue Line project.
The Dubai Metro Blue Line is a major expansion of Dubai’s rail transit network, with a total length of 30 kilometers, including about 14 kilometers of tunnels. China Railway Engineering Equipment Group, a subsidiary of China Railway Hi-Tech Industry, will export three shield machines with an excavation diameter of 9.61 meters, each responsible for one tunneling section. Unlike previous single shield machine exports, this time a full package of shield tunneling equipment will be delivered. In addition to the shield machines, China Railway Engineering Equipment Group is also providing a range of shield tunneling ecosystem products, including tunnel belt conveyors, MSV rubber-tyred vehicles, segment molds, and surface refrigeration systems, fully demonstrating its comprehensive capability to provide full lifecycle services and integrated solutions in the tunneling sector.
It is reported that the Dubai Metro Blue Line project, as a key infrastructure initiative under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, will adopt the world’s highest level of automation (GoA4), enabling fully automated, driverless operation. Upon completion, it will seamlessly connect with the existing Red and Green Lines, linking Dubai International Airport with nine core functional zones. The project will establish a citywide rail transit network, significantly enhancing Dubai’s commuting efficiency and smart urban development.
