Abu Dhabi: Hafeet Railway, a joint rail project linking Sohar in Oman and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, has entered the implementation stage. Etihad Railways, Oman Railways and Mubadala Investment Company signed a shareholders’ agreement to mark the start of the railway project. This is an innovative initiative that will boost tourism between the UAE and Oman and also expand its reach to connect other major cities in the region. According to reports, the current travel time between regions is three hours and 25 minutes, but the project will reduce the time by one hour and 40 minutes. The passenger train reaches speeds of 200 kilometers per hour and covers the distance between Sohar and Abu Dhabi in 1 hour 40 minutes and between Sohar and Al Ain in 1 hour 47 minutes. Meanwhile, the train can accommodate up to 400 passengers.
Freight train transport capacity is 15,000 tons
Freight trains can transport more than 15,000 tons of goods (about 270 standard containers). Hafeet Railway aims to make significant contributions to various sectors in both countries, including mining, steel, agriculture and food, retail, e-commerce, and petrochemicals. The railway project, which requires a total investment of $3 billion, is envisioned as a gateway to the regional markets of Oman and the UAE. Additionally, the project will create hundreds of job opportunities for both countries. Formerly known as the Oman and Etihad Railway Company, the project was recently named Hafeet Railway. The Jebel Hafeet Mountains, which stretch between the two countries, are known for their rugged terrain, including mountains, deserts, and limestone. The project to connect the commercial port to the rail networks of both countries will make cross-border trade easier and more efficient.
