Hafeet Railways announces the completion of 40% of the railway link project between Oman and the Emirates

Hafeet Rail, the joint company between Etihad Rail, Oman Rail, and Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), announced the completion of 40% of the total work on the railway link project between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates, one of the most prominent joint strategic projects in the field of infrastructure, transportation and logistics services in the region. The project extends over a distance of 238 kilometers, and aims to develop an integrated and highly efficient logistics transportation system that supports trade movement, enhances the flexibility of supply chains, and contributes to deepening economic integration between the two brotherly countries.

Construction work is continuing at an accelerated pace in a number of strategic locations along the project’s path, including Al Ain, Al Buraimi, Wadi Al Jizzi and Sohar. The path passes through urban and industrial areas, mountainous terrain, and deep valleys, which requires specialized engineering solutions that include large-scale excavation works, and the implementation of major engineering facilities such as bridges and tunnels, in addition to integrated systems to protect against flood risks, ensuring the safe and sustainable operation of the system.

Abdul Rahman bin Salem Al Hatmi, CEO of Asyad Group in the Sultanate of Oman, one of Hafeet Trains’ partners, said: “The pace of implementation reflects our commitment to operating this project and starting to provide passenger and freight services as planned. This progress is based on the foundations laid by the process of developing the railway sector in the Sultanate of Oman since the launch of Oman Rail, which formed the starting point and the first vision for this strategic path. Today we are proud of the pivotal role it plays.” National competencies in leading the various tracks of the project, as we clearly see that what we have worked to build and rehabilitate over a decade is beginning to bear fruit.”

At the current stage, excavation and backfilling work is continuing on a large scale, with 27 million cubic meters of earthworks completed. The volume of concrete works also exceeded 100,000 cubic meters, and in parallel tunneling work continues in Tunnels No. (1) and No. (2), achieving important progress in the implementation stages.

Engineering facilities are also witnessing remarkable progress, as work is currently underway on 80 engineering facilities, in addition to the implementation of 900 stakes and 130 box culverts.

In parallel, work is continuing on the main facilities and installations in Sohar and Buraimi, in support of the future role of the project in linking ports, industrial areas and logistics centers, and enabling cross-border shipping movement within an integrated regional system.

Ahmed Al-Masawy Al-Hashemi, CEO of Hafeet Rail, said: “The completion of 40% of the work on the railway connection project represents evidence of the strong foundations of the project. As we move to the next phase of implementation, we continue to focus on maintaining progress in developing the project, enhancing cooperation between partners, and ensuring long-term value in line with the highest international standards.”

Al Hashemi added: “With regard to occupational health and safety, we have achieved 10 million safe working hours without recording serious injuries, an achievement that reflects the strength of the approved safety systems, the effectiveness of risk management, and the consolidation of a culture of safety in all work sites, which we are keen to constantly enhance at Hafeet Rail Company.”

The project’s railway, control, signaling and communications systems are based on the highest approved international standards, ensuring high levels of safety and interoperability between the Omani and UAE networks. These systems contribute to reducing the crossing time between trains, increasing operating capacity, and supporting the automation of operations in various weather conditions.

The “Hafeet Rail” project forms the basis for developing passenger transportation services in the future, supporting tourism and business transportation, and strengthening social and economic ties between the Sultanate of Oman and the UAE, in line with the objectives of “Oman Vision 2040” and the national development goals of the UAE. This comes through supporting economic diversification, developing the transport and logistics sectors, providing modern and sustainable infrastructure, in addition to reducing dependence on traditional land transport, reducing emissions, and enhancing regional integration, which embodies an advanced model of a successful strategic partnership that reflects the depth of fraternal relations and the shared vision for a more interconnected and prosperous future for the two brotherly countries.