Abu Dhabi: Hafeet Rail, the joint rail venture that connects Sohar in Oman to Abu Dhabi in the UAE has entered the implementation phase. Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala Investment Company signed a shareholders’ agreement, marking the commencement of the railway project. A game-changer initiative, it will boost tourism between the UAE and Oman, also increasing the scope to connect other major cities in the area. While the current travel time between the regions is 3 hours 25 minutes, the project will reduce it by 1 hour 40 minutes, as per reports. The passenger train can speed up to 200 kilometres per hour, covering the distance between Sohar and Abu Dhabi in 1 hour 40 minutes, and 1 hour 47 minutes between Sohar and Al Ain. Meanwhile, the train has a capacity to accommodate up to 400 passengers.
15,000 tonnes capacity in freight trains
A freight train can transport more than 15,000 tonnes of goods (around 270 standard containers). Hafeet Rail aims to make significant contributions in various sectors in both countries such as mining, iron and steel, agriculture and food, retail, e-commerce and petrochemicals. The railway project which requires a total investment of $ 3 billion is envisaged as a gateway to the regional markets of Oman and UAE. Moreover, the project will create hundreds of employment opportunities in both countries. The project that was formerly known as Oman and Etihad Rail Company has recently been named Hafeet Rail. The Jebel Hafeet Mountain ranges that stretch between the two countries are known for their difficult terrain including mountains, deserts and limestones. The project that connects the commercial ports to the rail network of both countries would make cross–border trade easy and efficient.
