Oman and Etihad Rail Company,has signed a cooperation agreement with Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company for developing the 303 kilometre-long railway network that will connect Oman and the UAE.
Oman-Etihad Rail Company, a joint venture (JV) of Oman Rail and Etihad Rail, plans to invest around $3 billion in developing a railway link between Oman and UAE.
The partnership comes in line with the two parties’ efforts to explore investment opportunities in the railway sector, both companies said in a statement.
The establishment of the Oman-Etihad Rail network, is an extension of the strategic relations and strong historical ties between the UAE and the Sultanate of Oman, and the foundation of the strong partnership between Etihad Rail and Oman Rail.
The joint venture (JV) will transform the infrastructure, transport, and logistics sectors, and enhance commercial movement and social cohesion, by linking economic, industrial, commercial, and residential centres through the railway network.
UAE-Oman rail link
The UAE-Oman rail link was announced in September 2022 and upon completion, is expected to boost trade and tourism opportunities between both countries as well as within the GCC.
Passenger and freight lines will be developed as part of the network. Passenger service speeds on the UAE-Oman rail link will be around 200 kilometres per hour (kmph), while freight service speeds will be 120kmph.
The 303km line will primarily link Sohar to Abu Dhabi and will feature the best international safety, security, and environmental standards, to provide faster and safer passenger and freight services.
The passenger trains are designed to reduce travel time from Sohar to Abu Dhabi to 1 hour 40 minutes, and from Sohar to Al Ain to 47 minutes.