Etihad Rail has concluded, ahead of schedule, the knowledge transfer programme with Deutsche Bahn (DB), Europe’s largest railway operator and infrastructure owner. The partnership between the two organisations, oversaw the establishment of the joint venture Etihad Rail DB in 2013, where the exchange of knowledge in railway operations, operations control centres (OCCs), maintenance of rolling stock, and development of the operating rules and regulations, was integral for subsequent operations.

This took place during InnoTrans 2022, the leading international trade fair for transport technology, which was held in Berlin, Germany from 20-23 September 2022.

These areas of support and experience shared by Deutsche Bahn led to the achievement of critical milestones, enabling Etihad Rail to establish a vital national industry through the creation of the UAE’s first railway network.

Supplementary to knowledge transfer, Deutsche Bahn provided Etihad Rail with guidance on the Health, Safety, Environment, & Quality (HSEQ) requirements and the development of the Operational Safety Case, which ultimately resulted in Etihad Rail DB’s accreditation as the UAE’s first heavy rail operator.

Shadi Malak, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Rail, said, “We conclude our knowledge transfer programme with our partner of almost a decade; Deutsche Bahn, ahead of schedule and in line with international best practices. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Deutsche Bahn, who shared valuable knowledge and expertise, aiding us in our goals to become one of the leading entities in the railway industry globally. We look forward to future opportunities, to work together again and achieve further successes.”

Niko Warbanoff, CEO DB E.C.O. Group, said, “We are proud of our successful and long-standing partnership with Etihad Rail. Together we have achieved the highest customer satisfaction with ADNOC, made a significant contribution to climate protection by saving a large amount of CO2 emissions, and kept our promise to provide a sustainable knowledge transfer to our partner Etihad Rail and the Emirati people.”

The joint venture Etihad Rail DB has been responsible for the operations of Stage One of the UAE National Rail Network since 2016, building a reputation of the highest levels of quality, safety, punctuality, and customer satisfaction, bringing together major benefits for its customer, and the United Arab Emirates.

Since operations began for Stage One of the UAE National Rail Network, Deutsche Bahn has supported Etihad Rail in transporting over 44 million tonnes of Sulphur across 4,400 trains, whilst boasting an immaculate safety record of zero LTIs and delivering exceptional punctuality rates, to ensure a reliable service. Consequently, Etihad Rail has reduced over 370,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, and 2.68 million truck trips, supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative.

Year-to-date, Etihad Rail DB has run 382 trains, and transported 3,685,000 tonnes of Sulphur, with a punctuality rate of 98.4 percent, which reflects the high level of customer satisfaction achieved.

London Gateway: DP World announced that its terminal at London Gateway has handled its 10 millionth container, just nine years after the smart logistics hub on the doorstep of the capital opened for business.

The milestone illustrates the remarkable track record of growth at London Gateway, which last year transported 1.8m TEU, an increase of almost 650 per cent compared with its first full year of operation in 2014. A new British pound 350m fourth berth will further increase capacity by a third when it opens in 2024.

Ernst Schulze, UK Chief Executive of DP World, said, “After the disruption of recent years, shipping lines and cargo owners are looking for capacity, reliability and growth opportunities. We are providing it, enabling customers to move goods smoothly and efficiently in and out of the UK and across their supply chains.”

“Within a decade, London Gateway is likely to be handling up to 30 percent of the country’s containerised trade. Its port-centric logistics park will be one of the largest in Europe, employing 12,000 people and underpinned by investment in a second rail terminal and a new fourth berth.”

DP World operates the UK’s most advanced logistics hubs: two deep water ports at London Gateway and Southampton with access to freight rail terminals. By offering a choice of deep-water entry and exit points to and from UK, the leading provider of smart logistics solutions offers greater flexibility and choice for shipping lines, cargo owners and exporters.

DP World announced in July that London Gateway handled more than one million TEU in six months between January and June, a record for the port. This performance contributed to a record volume of cargo in the first half of the year for DP World’s ports in the UK, with a combined total of 1,937,000 TEU when factoring in throughput at Southampton.

Over the last 10 years, DP World has invested British pound 2 billion in the UK, supporting thousands of jobs. Over the next 10 years it has earmarked a further British pound 1 billion of investment, which will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of some of the most deprived areas in the country.

WAM