OREANDA-NEWS. June 14, 2011.  Marubeni Corporation and Marubeni Australia Ltd (collectively ‘Marubeni Group ‘) have jointly acquired 26.67% of GoldlinQ Holdings Pty.  Ltd. (herein ‘GoldlinQ’).  GoldlinQ was selected by the Queensland State Government (herein ‘the State’) as the successful proponent for the Operator Franchise of the Gold Coast Rapid Transit Project (herein the Project).  GoldlinQ has entered into an 18 year Public Private Partnership (herein ‘PPP’) contract with the State to design, build, finance, operate and maintain a light rail public transportation system on the Gold Coast.

 Consisting of 14 modern and efficient light rail vehicles (herein LRVs) and 16 stations, the Project will service a 13 kilometre route through the beachside city while contributing to the improvement of public transport amenity in an environmentally sustainable manner.  The PPP requires GoldlinQ to operate and maintain the light rail system including the fleet of LRVs for a period of 15 years following completion of construction works. Extensions to the project are planned to the north and south of the existing route.

 The project value is approximately AUD 1 Billion, with AUD 365 million contributed from private banks.  Investors in GoldlinQ comprise Marubeni Group, Plenary Group, IPP Australia, Aveng Australia and Keolis SA.   Marubeni Group has been working with GoldlinQ since the Expression of Interest (EOI) phase of the project and is delighted to be acknowledged for its experience and capability in large scale transportation projects and its commitment to sustainability and long term local partnerships.

 LRVs will be manufactured and supplied by the world’s leading supplier of rail transport systems, Bombardier.  Design & Construction of major structures and track will be performed by leading Australian engineering & civil construction firm Mc Connell Dowell.   Construction works will be executed over 3 years, with services expected to commence in 2014.

 Since entering the locomotive & wagon leasing business in Australia in 2009, Marubeni has sought to expand its presence in the Australian rail sector.  Marubeni will continue to seek new business opportunities in the environmentally sustainable sector of rail transportation in Australia and other nations.