Consultancy firms have submitted expressions of interest for freight rail work at Oxagon, the industrial city under development on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, according to a report by MEED.

The submissions mark an early procurement step. At this stage the process identifies qualified consultants rather than awarding contracts, and MEED's headline does not specify how many firms responded, which consultant scopes are on offer, or when the client will shortlist bidders.

Where does Oxagon fit on the map?

Oxagon forms part of NEOM, the development programme on the northwest Saudi coast. Its port and industrial layout depends on rail connections to move freight between dockside facilities and inland networks, which is why consultant engagement for freight rail is drawing market attention.

No contract values, delivery dates or route specifications appear in the reported information. Any figures circulating about tonnage, track kilometres or fleet size remain projections until the project client publishes them.

What happens next in the tender process?

Expressions of interest typically precede a request for proposals, after which the client shortlists consultants for design, supervision or advisory scopes. Suppliers and operators watching the programme will be looking for the client to confirm the bidders' list and the timetable for the next stage.

MEED's report signals active market appetite for the consultancy phase; the scale and timing of the freight rail build itself will become clear only when tender documents and network plans are released.