$3bn contract signed for rail between Oman and UAE

It has been reported that Oman Rail and Etihad Rail have reached an agreement to build a railway between Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

(Photo: Eithad Rail)

The companies will become a new entity — Oman-Etihad Rail Company — and work together to operate this network.

With a total investment of US$3 billion, reports suggest that Oman-Etihad Rail will be involved in the design, development and operation of a railway network that will link Sohar Port in Oman to the UAE National Rail Network.

The railway will have a maximum speed of 200km/h with hopes to cut down travel time from Sohar to Abu Dhabi to one hour and 40 minutes, while journeys from Sohar to Al Ain will be reduced to 47 minutes.

 CEO of Etihad Rail, Shadi Malak, said, “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.”