UAE-Oman railway Hafeet Rail enters implementation phase

The highly anticipated UAE-Oman railway project that will transport passengers and goods between the two countries has entered the implementation phase.

The mega project, which is known as Hafeet Rail, is expected to catalyse further cooperation in various economic and industrial sectors in the UAE and Oman.

Speaking on the sidelines of the joint UAE-Oman Business Forum in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Ahmed Al Musawa Al Hashemi, the CEO of Hafeet Rail, said that several tangible steps have been made, starting with the signing of the partnership agreements and the awarding of major contracts.

Al Hashemi highlighted that the railway operates with high efficiency in terms of safety and security and is among the most sustainable means of transportation environmentally.

The company’s new brand identity Hafeet Rail was derived from the railway line’s scenic route from Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area to the Omani city and port of Sohar. It will transport passengers through diverse geographical areas from desert to mountainous and valley regions – running alongside Jebel Hafeet.

Mohammed bin Zahran Al Mahruqi, deputy CEO of Hafeet Rail, said the train’s capacity, which is equivalent to 300 trucks, will reduce 80 per cent of carbon emissions generated by trucks.

Al Mahruqi said the train has a cargo capacity of as much as 15,000 tonnes of general goods and approximately 270 standard containers while highlighting the project’s anticipated role in enhancing trade exchange between the UAE and Oman.

The passenger train will reach a top speed of 200 km per hour covering the distance between Sohar and Abu Dhabi in 100 minutes, while freight trains take about 120 minutes.

The project was previously known as ‘Oman and Etihad Rail Company’.

UAE, Oman bilateral relations

Meanwhile, Emirati and Omani companies signed multi-sectoral deals worth $35.12bn (Dhs129bn) during Sultan Haitham bin Tariq’s state visit to the UAE on Monday.

The deals, which span renewable energy, railway connectivity and investments in digital infrastructure and technology, were dominated by a Dhs117bn industrial and energy “megaproject” that encompasses renewable energy initiatives including solar and wind energy projects as well as green metals production.

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), Emirates Global Aluminium, Emirates Steel Arkan, OQ Alternative Energy and the Oman Electricity Transmission Company signed the deal.

Abu Dhabi wealth fund ADQ and Oman Investment Authority signed an agreement to set up the $180m technology-focused Jasoor Fund, as part of a broader framework agreement that was signed by the duo in 2022.

The fund seeks to bolster the digital economy in Oman as well as the wider Middle East region by supporting high-growth technology companies in sectors such as fintech, edtech, healthtech, cleantech, food and agriculture, and logistics.

The UAE and Oman also signed a Dhs11bn agreement to connect the two Gulf states by rail while Etihad Rail, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala and Oman’s Asyad Group entered into a partnership agreement valued at Dhs3bn.

Read: UAE, Oman firms sign multi-sectoral deals worth Dhs129bn