Hafeet Rail to start trials next year

The trial operations for the railway link connecting between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will begin next year.

'Trial operations for the train connecting the Sultanate of Oman and the UAE will begin in the fourth quarter of 2027,' the Minister of Transport,' Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) told the media recently.

The Hafeet Railway will connect the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, and Suhar in Oman as part of the efforts to strengthen the regional logistics ecosystem by connecting industrial complexes in both countries to spur economic growth and enhance cross-border trade, while acting as a gateway to the main shipping routes between east and west.

Once fully operational, Hafeet Rail will unlock efficiency in passenger and freight movement. A single freight train journey on the network is further expected to transport more than 15,000 tonnes of cargo, or approximately 270 standard containers.
Sectors expected to benefit from the network will range from mining, to iron and steel, agriculture and food, retail, e-commerce, and the petrochemical sector. Furthermore, the network is set to be at the forefront of passenger travel in the region, supporting tourism initiatives that make each country the first port of call for the other.

The railway network will connect more than 12 passenger stations and cities across the two countries, besides major ports.

 By providing a viable alternative to road transport for heavy freight, the rail network will reduce the number of trucks on highways. 

The railway network will extend for 238 km, and the passenger trains will run at a top speed of 200 km/h, travelling between Suhar and Abu Dhabi in 100 minutes, and between Suhar and Al Ain in 47 minutes. Freight trains will operate at a maximum speed of 120 km/h.