Shell and NIHC complete Myanmar road trial

Official opening of first road project in Myanmar to use Shell bitumen products and technical support 

SHELL and National Infrastructure Holdings Co. Ltd (NIHC) have recently celebrated the opening of a road trial project along the Pyinmana Myo Shuang Road, near Nay Pyi Taw International Airport, in Myanmar. The trial involved the use Shell’s 60/70 penetration grade bitumen, which has good heat tolerance and resistance to deformation, making it suitable for use in roads in tropical climates. Shell also advised on the pavement design, to ensure a more durable road. 

‘This newly completed stretch of road here in Nay Pyi Taw is a demonstration of how using quality bitumen products and proper pavement design can result in a durable road surface that the people of Myanmar can use reliably. We are pleased to discuss opportunities with NIHC to grow our business in Myanmar…and look forward to bringing our expertise here and making a positive impact on the country’s infrastructure growth ambitions,’ commented Nick Chong, vice-president of Shell Bitumen.

H.E. U Win Khaing, Union Minister with Myanmar’s Ministry of Construction, which supervised the trial project, said: ‘We are pleased that Shell and NIHC are looking into providing their road construction expertise here in Myanmar. This new development will enable us in the Ministry of Construction to further build quality, durable road infrastructure suitable for Myanmar’s climate, to support the economic growth we see here in the country.’ 

Shell’s bitumen products have been used to pave numerous highways, roads and other infrastructure projects around the world. In Asia, projects that have used these products include: roads surrounding the sports venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics; F1 race tracks, including Singapore’s Marina Bay street circuit; and runways at Changi Airport in Singapore, Hong Kong International Airport, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand.