Four ports will be interconnected
Photos: Pixabay
The UAE news agency WAM reported that the cargo movement started yesterday from the main control and maintenance center in Al Fayah area of Abu Dhabi. The network consists of 38 locomotives and over 1,000 wagons capable of carrying all types of goods. It will connect four major ports and seven logistics hubs across the country. The network also includes several charging stations located in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi Industrial City, Port Khalifa, Dubai Industrial City, Jebel Ali Port, Al Ghail and Fujairah Port. The area, which includes customs warehouses and onsite cargo inspection services, has become a major hub for distribution and logistics services in the sector.
An important milestone in the development journey
Sheikh Mohammed said that this is a historic moment for the UAE and he is proud of the performance of the nation’s sons who have worked hard over the years to build a strategic plan that can propel the national economy to greater heights. He also noted that our capabilities, competitiveness and unity will be further strengthened by connecting the emirates through the Etihad National Railway network. He added that the national railway network is an important milestone in the UAE’s development journey and a groundbreaking initiative that will strengthen the country’s preparations for the future.
All seven emirates will be interconnected
One of the largest infrastructure programs in the region, the project aims to connect all seven emirates through a major rail network. The railway network consists of 593 bridges, crossings and nine tunnels, which pass through different geographical areas like cities, deserts and forests. Freight trains have an estimated capacity of 60 million tonnes of freight per year. Their speed is up to 120 km per hour.
It will further strengthen the economy
The project is expected to contribute 200 billion dirhams to the national economy by 2050, help save 8 billion dirhams in road maintenance costs and generate 23 billion dirhams in tourism revenue, officials said. Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member and Etihad Rail Chairman Sheikh Thiab Bin Mohammed said the project will accelerate the country’s economic development. He also said that with the support of the UAE leadership, Emirati talents have realized the dream of their founding fathers through the Etihad Rail project. He also opined that the completion of the railway network would not have been possible within the stipulated time and budget without the help of Emirati talents.
From the Saudi border to Fujairah
The main line of the railway network stretches from Gwaifat to Fujairah on the border with Saudi Arabia. It is also an important part of the global supply chain. Phase I of the network was fully operational from January 2016. The second phase of the project started in early 2020. Etihad Rail said the project will support the UAE’s Sustainable Development Goals and reduce road carbon emissions by 21 percent and per capita road transport carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2050. Cargo wagons can carry all types of cargo, including petrochemicals, crude steel, limestone, cement, construction materials, industrial and domestic waste, aluminum, foodstuffs, and general cargo. UAE has announced that passenger service of Etihad Railway will start in 2030. In the future, there are plans to extend this rail network to the neighboring countries of Oman and Saudi Arabia.
