Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T), in consortium with Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), is set to build world’s largest Automated People Mover (APM) System for Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. The project spans a length of approximately 50 km connecting nine stations.

In a statement to the stock exchanges, L&T stated, “the transportation infrastructure business vertical of L&T, in consortium with Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has secured a large order to design and build the Automated People Mover (APM) System for Phase 1 of Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. The project, developed by Dubai Aviation City Corporation and being implemented through Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, is a key component of the airport’s long-term expansion programme designed as a multi-phase development. Once fully developed, Al Maktoum International Airport will become the world’s largest airport, with a capacity of 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of freight annually.”

Ramkumar S, Executive Vice President & Head-Transportation Infrastructure, L&T said, “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. With MHI’s proven APM Systems and L&T’s extensive integrated systems experience supported by world-class Engineering Designs Centre, enables us to execute such projects with a strong focus on safety and quality.”

The Al Maktoum International Airport APM System project further strengthens L&T’s credentials in the region and positions the firm to capitalise on emerging opportunities in the railway and transit sector across West Asia, the company stated.

Analysts believe the project is positive for L&T and will also boost the firm’s global order pipeline as well as Middle East presence. However, analysts are likely to focus on execution, margins and geopolitical risks in West Asia as key factors going forward.