Work underway on UAE-Oman railway project
The United Arab Emirates and Oman have announced that the long-awaited high-speed railway between the two countries has entered the implementation phase. Following a joint business forum between the UAE and Oman, held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the countries stated they would collaborate to make this multi-billion-dollar project a reality.
At the forum, a new brand identity was established for the UAE-Oman railway, now known as Hafeet Rail. Plans for the railway between the neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council countries have been under consideration since 2022, but this week saw the official announcement of specific steps taken.
Partnership agreements were signed between interested parties, significant construction contracts were awarded, and companies from both sides of the border will work as joint project teams.
What does the Hafeet Rail UAE-Oman railway mean? Initially, it will operate between the Al Wathba district near Abu Dhabi and the Omani port city of Sohar. With speeds up to 200 kilometers per hour, the journey between Abu Dhabi and Sohar will take 100 minutes. Passenger trains will accommodate up to 400 people. The project group’s goal is to “establish a record-short implementation period.” The freight train will have a capacity equivalent to 300 trucks, reducing carbon dioxide emissions caused by trucks by 80 percent.
It will traverse various geographical zones, including desert and mountainous areas, as well as along Jebel Hafeet Mountain. With significant investments in passenger rail transport in the United Arab Emirates, there may soon be an opportunity to travel by train from Dubai to Oman.
The railway aims to provide a fast and efficient means of connectivity between the two countries, hopefully reducing traffic congestion and, consequently, the carbon footprint.
This railway project will allow the Gulf countries to connect and align with long-term plans for a Gulf-wide railway network.
