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A new era 
in bilateral ties 
between UAE 
and Oman

A new era in bilateral ties between UAE and Oman

Etihad Rail and Oman Rail establish a joint venture to build and operate a railway network linking Sohar Port to the UAE National Rail Network

Etihad 
Rail 
and 
Oman 
Rail 
establish 
joint 
venture 
to 
build 
and 
operate 
railway 
network 
linking 
Sohar 
Port 
to 
the 
UAE 
National 
Rail 
Network 

The joint network bolsters the strategic and historic relationship between United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman.

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE national railway network, signed an agreement to establish the Oman and Etihad Rail Company, a joint venture co-owned by the two countries, with a total value of 3 billion USD. The joint venture will be responsible for designing, building, and operating the railway network that connects the Sohar Port with the UAE National Rail Network.

Rail going through Sohar in Oman
Sohar - Oman
Route length:
303km

Travel Time

100 Minutes

Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Al Ain
Sohar
Al Ain
Sohar
Abu Dhabi
Al Ain
Sohar
Network Specifications
Standard Rail Width:
1,435 metres
Signalling system:
European Signalling System (ETCS level 2)

The agreement was signed by Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail and Eng. Abdulrahman bin Salim Al-Hatmi, Group CEO of Oman's state-owned logistics company ASYAD.

Under the terms of the agreement, the new company will lay the groundwork and workplan for the project, including its financial mechanisms and schedule. The company will also handle the design, development, and operation of the rail network, which connects Sohar and Abu Dhabi, in line with the criteria and standards of the two countries.

“In line with the vision and directives of our wise leadership, we are delighted to start this partnership with Oman Rail, which heralds a new chapter of collaboration and prosperity between both countries. The agreement outlines a strategic roadmap for a sustainable project which will contribute to bolstering the solid relations between the UAE and Oman, and will play an instrumental role in facilitating national and regional trade by connecting the UAE National Rail Network with Sohar Port.”

His Excellency Shadi Malak
CEO of Etihad Rail

Abu Dhabi - UAE

“The joint railway project will bring about many strategic, economic, and social benefits. These include supporting and diversifying the national economy, connecting population and industrial centres in the two countries, developing infrastructure, improving the quality of life, strengthening social and familial cohesion, enhancing and organising the logistics sector, enhancing the tourism sector, and supporting the implementation of national strategic initiatives in both countries”

Abdulrahman Al-Hatmi
Group CEO of ASYAD Group

Al-Hatmi said that the project will be a high-quality addition to the logistics sector, and will stimulate various industrial sectors and economic activities by providing promising commercial and investment opportunities for the private sector, and supporting integration among port activities in the two countries.

The two parties will ensure that the project is designed according to the best international specifications, reducing cost and time, improving the efficiency of travel between the two countries, and setting the train speed.

Freight Train
120km/h
Passenger Train
200km/h
Freight Fujairah Branded
Fujairah - UAE

The project will generate many strategic, economic, and social benefits.

The joint railway network between United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman will drive the growth of the national economy in both countries. It will also improve supply chain efficiency and facilitate cross-border trade by linking commercial ports to the railway network. It will also boost market competitiveness and reduce the total cost of supply chains, due to its high levels of efficiency compared to other means of transportation.

UAE and Oman Railway Network
Boosted market competitiveness
Facilitated cross-border trade
Reduced the total cost of supply chains
Improved supply chain efficiency
Growth of the national economy

General questions about Oman-UAE Railway Network Project and its technical specifications

What is the Oman-UAE Railway Network Project, and what is the purpose behind its development?

The Oman-UAE Railway Network Project, which connects the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi and Sohar in Oman, is an extension of the historic and strategic relations between the two countries, which seek to achieve mutual interests.

The project will improve the social life of citizens and support the diversification of the national economy of both countries.

The project also seeks to create new prospects in the infrastructure, transport, and logistics industry by connecting the two countries via rail.

How did the idea of developing a railway network connecting the UAE and Oman come up?

The idea of developing the Oman-UAE rail network reflects the strong ties between the two countries in various fields.

The partnership comes as a result of the strong relations between Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE national Rail Network, and Oman Rail, the developer of the Oman national railway network.

The partnership aligns with the UAE and Oman’s objectives of connecting population and industrial areas using a joint railway network, which contributes to enhancing economic development in both countries and forming a main link in the global supply chain.

How long is the railway track, and what areas and cities will it pass through in the two countries? What are the technical specifications and capacity of the freight and passenger trains? 

The railway track will extend for 303 km from Sohar to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It will be connected to the UAE National Rail Network and its stations across the country.

Passenger trains will reach 200 km/h, running between Sohar and Abu Dhabi in 100 minutes, and between Sohar and Al Ain in 47 minutes. Freight trains, which run up to 120 km/h.

What are the services provided by the joint railway network?

The joint railway network will provide freight and passenger transport services.

When will the construction works for the network begin, and when is the network expected to become operational?

Etihad Rail and Oman Rail are currently working to set the expected time for operating the project. This will be announced later once approved.