6m Radius Tunnel Boring Machine & Tubing Mill for Uzbekistan Temir Yollari
In 2017, we acted as a consultant for Uzbekistan Temir Yollari on a $ 12 million project to provide two tunnel boring machines and a concrete mill for the construction of a 4 km metro line in Tashkent. This was a negotiated tender involving major competitors including CREG (China Railway Engineering Group), Robbins, E-BERK, and The Boring Company. It marked the first large-scale tunnel boring project in Central Asia.
The tender presented multiple complexities:
- Technical challenges: Managing water leakage under the soil and handling non-standard oversized equipment logistics.
- Local inexperience: The region had no prior exposure to modern tunnel boring technology, creating a steep learning curve for local contractors.
- Time sensitivity: The project had a limited schedule, requiring precise coordination to avoid delays.
- Bureaucratic and cultural factors: Navigating local construction practices and regulatory requirements demanded deep knowledge of the local system.
Challenge
About the case
Our approach focused on leveraging industry leadership, experience, and local knowledge:
- Developed the optimal technical solution and timeline to meet tender requirements.
- Utilized our understanding of local culture, people, and bureaucracy to streamline approvals and communication.
- Coordinated a global network of specialists from Herrenknecht AG, ensuring precise installation and operation.
- Provided end-to-end consultation from tender evaluation to final delivery, ensuring all aspects of the project met international standards.
Solution
- Successfully delivered the project on time and within budget.
- The metro line enhanced Tashkent’s transport infrastructure, completing a Soviet-era unfinished project.
- Achieved efficiency gains and reduced future maintenance costs for the client.
- Positioned our team as a leading consultant in Central Asia, attracting interest from neighboring countries for similar infrastructure projects.
Results
- Introduced project sponsors to London-based institutional capital
- Positioned opportunity within emerging markets allocation mandates
- Facilitated preliminary structuring dialogue
- Supported capital strategy alignment discussions
Execution
The project was implemented efficiently:
How It Worked
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