The milestone was highlighted throughout a gathering between Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Consultant within the Al Dhafra Area, and a delegation from Etihad Rail, the place the corporate’s newest mission updates and long-term plans have been reviewed.
Sheikh Hamdan described Etihad Rail as a key pillar of the UAE’s nationwide transport system and a strategic initiative driving sustainable infrastructure. He additionally praised the aggressive place the corporate has achieved throughout the transport sector, noting its contribution to complete growth by way of a railway community constructed to world requirements.
Freight spine beneficial properties scale
Freight operations have turn out to be the spine of Etihad Rail’s affect on the economic system. The transport of building supplies corresponding to stone and gravel has supported large-scale infrastructure initiatives, whereas container actions have strengthened home provide chains and commerce flows between emirates.
The size of cargo dealt with since operations started displays rising demand for rail as an alternative choice to highway transport, notably for heavy and bulk items. The community’s position in lowering congestion and enhancing logistics effectivity has positioned it firmly on the centre of the UAE’s long-term transport technique.
Passenger companies come into focus
“I’m able to now reveal the preliminary routes which is able to launch in 2026,” mentioned Azza Al Suwaidi, deputy chief govt of Etihad Rail Mobility. “Initially, trains will function between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, our twin centres of commerce, in addition to join with Fujairah within the east. From that backbone, and over the course of 2026 and past, additional routes, connections and stations will come on-line. We’re anticipating large demand.”
Sooner intercity journey
The Abu Dhabi-Dubai hall will see frequent companies to satisfy rising demand for commuter and enterprise journey. The Fujairah hyperlink is designed to assist tourism and enhance entry to the east coast, providing reduction from more and more congested highways.
Inhabitants progress and heavier use of highway networks performed a central position in figuring out the primary routes. Station places have been chosen based mostly on inhabitants density, journey demand and inter-emirate connectivity.
Stations start to take form
Established in 2009, Etihad Rail started freight operations in Abu Dhabi earlier than increasing into a completely operational nationwide freight community in 2023. Constructing a passenger system alongside it offered advanced challenges.
Plans are additionally advancing for a separate electrified high-speed passenger line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which goals to chop journey time to round half-hour. A launch timeline for that service has but to be introduced, although it’s anticipated to additional reshape day by day journey patterns as soon as operational.
Nivetha Dayanand is Assistant Enterprise Editor at Gulf Information, the place she spends her days unpacking cash, markets, aviation, and the large shifts shaping life within the Gulf. Earlier than returning to Gulf Information, she launched Finance Center East, full with a podcast and video collection.
Her reporting has taken her from breaking spot information to long-form options and high-profile interviews. Nivetha has interviewed Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed Al Saud, Indian ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and N. Chandrababu Naidu, IMF’s Jihad Azour, and an extended record of CEOs, regulators, and founders who’re reshaping the area’s economic system.
An Erasmus Mundus journalism alum, Nivetha has shared school rooms and newsrooms with journalists from greater than 40 nations, which in all probability explains her weak spot for knowledge, context, and a great follow-up query.
When she is away from her keyboard (AFK), you’re more than likely to search out her on the gymnasium with an Eminem playlist, bingeing One Piece, or exploring video games on her PS5.
