Hafeet Rail will be the first ‘modern cross-border train in the Arab world’
The UAE to Oman train service, officially known as Hafeet Rail, has announced that it has reached 40% completion.
Hafeet Rail will feature both a passenger and cargo rail connection. The journey between Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Sohar in Oman will take just one hour and 40 minutes, while the trip from Al Ain to Sohar will take only 47 minutes.
According to Hafeet Rail, work is advancing across multiple locations; however, no completion date has been announced.
Here’s what we know about Hafeet Rail
The project was announced back in 2023 when Oman Rail and Etihad Rail partnered with Mubadala to develop a 303km stretch of track that will unite the two GCC nations by rail. It will be the first ‘modern cross-border train in the Arab world’.
It will feature both a passenger and cargo rail connection which will stretch from the existing network in the UAE, specifically from the Al Wathba area to the city and port of Sohar, passing through diverse geographical areas from desert to mountainous and valley regions and running alongside Jebel Hafeet.
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The train will travel at 200kph, across the 238 km of the route (Etihad Rail’s own line is more than 900km), cutting journey times between Sohar and Abu Dhabi to 100 minutes.
The railway line will include tunnels spanning 2,500 metres which will cut through the mountain’s terrain and the building of viaducts and underbridges which will cross valleys and bridge rugged landscapes for uninterrupted rail flow. Over 21 over-bridges and 39 underpasses will also be constructed for cars to ensure smooth vehicle flow.
The project will shape an integrated logistics network that strengthens trade flows and connectivity between the UAE and Oman.
The project is worth an estimated USD3 billion.
We are keeping an eye on this huge megaproject, so stay tuned.
Images: Hafeet Rail Instagram
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