Gamuda signals expansion into Australian rail sector

As Gamuda celebrates its fifth anniversary of operations in Australia, the company is focused on expanding its presence in this key market. Leveraging its global engineering and construction expertise along with a strong local team, partnerships, and resources, Gamuda is poised for significant growth.

Leading Gamuda in Australia from the onset, chief executive officer Ewan Yee, said the quick-entry into Australia highlights how effectively the organisation combines global know-how with local expertise.

“We’re excited to grow further and continue making a positive impact in the infrastructure sector,” he said.

The wholly-owned Australian subsidiary of Malaysia’s respected Gamuda Berhad has quickly become a major player in the Australian market. With three major road and rail infrastructure projects worth over $4.5 billion secured, Australia has become Gamuda’s second-largest construction base. The group is now exploring new opportunities for expansion.

“Australia is becoming a crucial part of our international operations,” Yee said.

“We’re seeing great opportunities here and are eager to leverage our strengths to meet the country’s growing infrastructure needs.”

Gamuda aims to build scale and vertically integrate into the rail sector, reflecting its success and reputation in global rail and metro systems. The company plans to enhance its local track record in complex civil and tunnelling works and offer a complete turnkey solution for major rail projects nationwide.

“Our goal is to deliver comprehensive solutions for the rail sector,” Yee explained.

“Expanding our services and integrating our capabilities will help us set new standards for quality and efficiency in rail infrastructure projects.”

Gamuda is also focusing on leveraging its broader Group capabilities in Australia, which include DT Infrastructure, Tunnelling Solutions, and Gamuda Land, its property development arm. Together, these companies can provide integrated solutions covering major rail network construction, maintenance of existing rail lines, and also over-station developments. These efforts are supported by Gamuda Berhad’s strong financial backing and substantial investment in R&D.

“The synergy within our Group lets us offer complete solutions that cover every stage of a project. This approach boosts our efficiency and delivers more value to our clients,” Yee added.

Gamuda’s regional reputation for rail and metro work spans Malaysia, Taiwan, and Singapore. It has been instrumental in delivering significant projects, including Malaysia’s first metro system, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network.

Notably, Gamuda, in a joint venture with MMC, pioneered the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) model for the MRT Kajang Line, guaranteeing safety, quality, time, and cost for the transformative public transport project.

The MRT Kajang Line, completed in 2017, features 29 stations—seven of which are underground—and used the world’s first variable density tunnel boring machine (VD-TBM) for its underground segments. This project set a high standard for urban transit.

Building on this success, Gamuda then delivered the MRT Putrajaya Line as a single turnkey contractor, completing it last year. This 56.2km line includes 36 stations (27 elevated and nine underground) and serves around 2 million people. The Company deployed the world’s first Autonomous Tunnel Boring Machine (A-TBM) on this project using breakthrough technology that harnessing artificial intelligence algorithms to control TBM operations.

This major innovation results in safer tunnelling, enhances cost efficiency, faster response times, higher accuracy and tangible productivity gains. This project also demonstrated Gamuda’s commitment to delivering for its clients with works undertaken during the highly challenging COVID pandemic.

Gamuda was able to be versatile and flexible enough to maintain programme while complying with strict health and safety practices by setting up COVID testing lab and quarantine facilities.

Gamuda has also contributed to the Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Metropolitan Orange Line (completed in 2008 ) and the ongoing Kaohsiung MRT Metropolitan Yellow Line Package YC01 as well as Taoyuan City Underground Railway Project Package CJ18 PingZhen Commuter Station in Taiwan. The Group is also currently participating the MRT Cross Island Line (Phase 1 and 2) in Singapore, constructing the Defu Station and Tunnels and West Coast Station and Tunnels.

In Australia, Gamuda has partnered with Laing O’Rourke in a consortium to deliver the Sydney Metro West – Western Tunnelling Package. This project involves constructing 9 kilometres of twin metro rail tunnels from Sydney Olympic Park to Westmead, along with enabling works and supporting infrastructure for the major public transport initiative.

“As we continue to expand in Australia, we’re looking forward to the opportunities ahead,” Yee said.

“We feel we now have the proven track record, team and partnerships in Australia to take on the larger and more complex rail infrastructure projects, and as importantly, we’ve only scratched the surface of the innovation and ground-breaking solutions we want to bring to the Australian rail and infrastructure market that we’re so well known for overseas.”