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The Gulf area’s logistics panorama reached a significant milestone this week as Noatum Logistics, a part of AD Ports Group, and Hafeet Rail signed an operational settlement on the World Rail 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The deal establishes the primary devoted cross-border freight rail hall between the United Arab Emirates and Oman, connecting Abu Dhabi with the Omani port metropolis of Sohar.
The settlement marks the formalization of a each day freight rail service throughout the UAE–Oman border—an initiative set to reshape regional transport networks and commerce flows between the 2 neighboring nations.
Below the settlement, Noatum Logistics will function a each day prepare service utilizing Hafeet Rail’s upcoming 303-kilometer community, straight linking Sohar Port to the UAE’s nationwide rail system at Al Ain. The brand new connection will launch with seven container trains every week, with every prepare able to carrying 276 TEUs (twenty-foot equal items).
This schedule equates to a possible annual throughput of round 193,200 TEUs from the primary 12 months of operations, underscoring the dimensions and ambition of the initiative. Devoted wagons will deal with 20-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot containers, supporting a large combine of products together with manufactured merchandise, meals gadgets, prescription drugs, and agrifoods.
Executives from each corporations confirmed that operations will start as soon as Hafeet Rail’s community turns into absolutely operational, integrating with the UAE’s current freight infrastructure managed by Etihad Rail.
By establishing the UAE–Oman hall, the undertaking strengthens provide chain connectivity and helps regional commerce diversification. In comparison with conventional highway transport, rail presents lowered carbon emissions, decrease working prices, and better reliability—components that align intently with the Gulf’s rising give attention to sustainable logistics.
Business analysts be aware that this cross-border hyperlink may considerably ease congestion at land borders and streamline freight motion between industrial hubs in Abu Dhabi and Oman’s northern ports. It additionally enhances Oman’s long-term technique to develop Sohar Port as a gateway for Gulf exports and imports.
Samir Chaturvedi, CEO of Noatum Logistics, described the initiative as a “scalable and sustainable transport different,” emphasizing that the rail connection between Abu Dhabi and Sohar would increase choices for regional producers and exporters.
In the meantime, Ahmed Al Musawa Al Hashemi, CEO of Hafeet Rail, mentioned the partnership marks “a significant milestone for the cross-border railway,” including that it’ll “allow dependable and environment friendly container transport whereas positioning the community as a regional logistics enabler.”
The UAE–Oman freight rail hall varieties a part of a broader infrastructure technique that goals to deepen financial integration inside the Gulf. By connecting two key commerce and industrial facilities, the brand new service helps ongoing efforts to diversify the area’s logistics ecosystem past highway and sea transport.
The transfer builds on Noatum Logistics’ earlier investments in multimodal transport. In 2024, the corporate launched a home rail shuttle between Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals, signaling its intent to develop rail-based freight providers as a part of an intermodal logistics framework.
Observers have highlighted the broader implications for regional commerce effectivity, particularly as Gulf economies proceed to spend money on resilient, low-emission transport infrastructure. The UAE–Oman connection, as soon as operational, will scale back transit occasions, improve predictability, and supply a secure route for importers and exporters in search of options to highway freight.
Past the instant logistics advantages, the settlement can be anticipated to foster new business alternatives between the 2 nations. With Sohar’s rising position as a maritime and industrial hub, and Abu Dhabi’s place as a logistics and manufacturing middle, the hall strengthens each ends of the Gulf provide chain.
By linking ports, free zones, and industrial clusters throughout borders, the service supplies a basis for expanded cooperation in power, manufacturing, and agrifood sectors. Each governments have endorsed the deal as a step towards deeper regional integration, inexperienced transport innovation, and diversified financial progress.
The general public announcement, made between October 23 and 27, 2025, acquired widespread protection throughout Gulf media shops, with trade leaders calling it one of the vital logistics agreements of the 12 months.
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