Hafeet Rail Project to Enhance Tourism in Oman and Abu Dhabi Region

The Hafeet Rail project, a joint venture connecting Sohar in Oman to Abu Dhabi in the UAE, has officially entered the implementation phase. Etihad Rail, Oman Rail, and Mubadala Investment Company have signed a shareholders’ agreement, marking the beginning of this game-changing railway project.

This initiative is set to revolutionize travel between the two countries, with the current 3 hours and 25 minutes journey time expected to be reduced by 1 hour and 40 minutes. The passenger train will be able to reach speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour, cutting travel time between Sohar and Abu Dhabi to just 1 hour and 40 minutes, and 1 hour and 47 minutes between Sohar and Al Ain. The train will have a capacity to accommodate up to 400 passengers.

In addition to passenger travel, the freight trains will have a capacity to transport over 15,000 tonnes of goods, making significant contributions to sectors such as mining, iron and steel, agriculture, food, retail, e-commerce, and petrochemicals in both countries. The total investment for the project is estimated at $3 billion, with the aim of creating hundreds of job opportunities in Oman and the UAE.

Formerly known as Oman and Etihad Rail Company, the project has been renamed Hafeet Rail after the Jebel Hafeet Mountain ranges that span both countries. This railway network will facilitate cross-border trade by connecting commercial ports and making regional markets more accessible. Overall, the Hafeet Rail project is set to transform transportation and trade between Oman and the UAE, opening up new opportunities for economic growth and development.