The deliberate railway between Oman and the United Arab Emirates, Hafeet Rail, can rely on 1,5 billion US {dollars} out of the two,5 billion in required funding. The challenge is meant to attach the port of Sohar in northern Oman with Abu Dhabi and facilitate each freight and passenger site visitors as “the area’s first cross-border rail community”.
Hafeet Rail, a three way partnership between Etihad Rail, Mubadala, and Asyad Group, might be 238 kilometres lengthy and is meant to attach 5 main ports and industrial zones throughout the UAE and Oman. Sooner or later, an prolonged connection to Oman’s capital metropolis Muscat is deliberate as nicely. The 1,5 billion greenback funding for the challenge reportedly comes from Emirati, Omani and regional banks, in addition to banks from the broader world, together with Jordan, Kuwait and the UK.
The rail challenge, which was beforehand named Omani & Etihad Rail Firm however modified its identify within the spring of 2024, is a part of a wider effort to develop rail infrastructure within the Gulf area and to attach all six Gulf Cooperation Council member states.
The beginnings of Gulf rail infrastructure
In each the UAE and Oman, the event of rail infrastructure is a current phenomenon, but it surely appears that there’s ample demand for rail freight transportation. Preparatory works for Hafeet Rail began solely in Might this yr, however as early as August 2023 a metal firm signed up as a buyer.
Whereas Oman continues to be engaged on its rail community, the UAE managed to attach all seven emirates through rail in February of 2023. Mining firm Stevin Rock and chemical producer Borogue had been among the many first UAE corporations to signal contracts to make use of the brand-new community.
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