Etihad Rail has concluded a partnership agreement with Oman Rail and Mubadala, to implement the Omani-UAE railway network project.
The agreement was signed during the visit of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman, to the UAE, where agreements were signed to award contracts for civil and construction works, award systems and integration contracts for the railway network, and launch the new corporate identity for the joint project under the name Hafeet Trains, after Jebel Hafeet, located on The borders of the UAE and the Sultanate of Oman
An agreement was signed to award civil contracts for the joint network to an Omani-Emirati consortium led by Trojan Construction Group and Galfar Engineering and Contracting.
The alliance includes Tristar Engineering and Construction and the National Infrastructure Construction Company.
An agreement was also signed to award systems and integration contracts for the railway network to an alliance between Siemens and HAC to ensure that trains are equipped with the latest technology and technology, as they are equipped with the European ETCS Level 2 signaling system, the most advanced in the world, to ensure the highest levels of efficiency and safety.
The network will be equipped with an advanced infrastructure that includes full digital control of the train and tracking its movement via the Global Positioning System, which increases the reliability of the network.
Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala revealed the new commercial identity of their joint company under the name Hafeet Rail (formerly Oman and Etihad Rail).
Mohammed bin Hassan Al Suwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment and Managing Director and CEO of ADQ, pointed out the importance of the network in facilitating trade at the local and regional levels, opening new horizons in the infrastructure, transportation and logistics sectors, diversifying the national economy, and achieving comprehensive development. In addition to the network’s other tourism benefits, because it will contribute to facilitating the movement of travelers to and from the two countries.
On the economic level, the joint network, with a total investment value of three billion dollars, will contribute to strengthening the role of the UAE and the Sultanate as gateways to regional markets.
The network will lead to the provision of many new and diverse job opportunities, whether directly in railway operations, or indirectly in various sectors in both countries, and the development of national talent.
The commercial benefits that the network will achieve include enhancing business growth and market access, raising the level of supply chain efficiency, facilitating cross-border trade between the two countries, and linking commercial ports by rail, as one freight train trip can transport more than 15,000 tons of general cargo, or ship about 270 TEU, and will also enhance the competitiveness of both countries on the level of global trade, and provide trade and investment opportunities for the private sector.
Hafeet Railways is expected to contribute to the development of many sectors in the two countries, which include the mining, iron and steel, agriculture and food sectors, retail trade, e-commerce, and the petrochemical sector, because it is distinguished by its ability to provide fast, safe and sustainable transportation solutions for goods of various sizes and weights via railways. .
In terms of passenger trains, the joint Omani-Emirati railway network project will connect population centers between the two countries, strengthen social and family cohesion, and support the tourism sector, as it provides travelers between the two countries with an easy and smooth journey with innovative solutions for travel procedures.
The speed of the passenger train will reach 200 kilometers per hour, and it can cover the distance between Sohar and Abu Dhabi in 100 minutes, and between Sohar and Al Ain in 47 minutes, and the capacity of one train will reach up to 400 passengers.
