The board of directors of Oman-Etihad Rail Company have met to review the company’s achievements, developments, research and studies conducted during the recent period on the joint railway network connecting Sohar Port with the UAE National Rail Network.

In a meeting, held in Muscat, the board members praised the leadership of both countries for their support of this joint project. The backing is set to accelerate the project’s development, fostering sustainable growth and strengthening economic ties between the two nations.

The project aims to facilitate passenger and freight movement, create rewarding job opportunities for professionals in both countries, and foster sustainable development and stronger ties through the development and operation of a safe, secure, and efficient railway network connecting Oman and the UAE.

The meeting was attended by Suhail Bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman-Etihad Rail Company; and Saeed Bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Omani Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman-Etihad Rail Company.

The board members were updated on the progress of the joint network, as well as the results of engineering design reviews and system studies. These studies provide engineering solutions aligned with international standards and are designed to meet the challenges of local environmental conditions.

The board also discussed the company’s efforts to ensure the application of international best practices and the adoption of the latest technologies and systems to develop an integrated railway network. These measures guarantee smooth train operations and facilitate seamless border crossings, meeting the requirements for rapid and efficient transportation of passengers and goods.

In February 2023, Oman-Etihad Rail Company signed a cooperation agreement with Mubadala Investment Company, a sovereign investor in Abu Dhabi. This partnership reflects both parties’ commitment to exploring investment opportunities and expanding cooperation in the railway sector, supporting, and accelerating the preparatory work and completion of the UAE-Oman Railway Network project’s implementation plan.

Oman and Etihad Rail Company was established in September 2022, as a joint venture, equally owned by Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Railway Network, and Oman Rail, Sultanate’s national developer and operator of railway network, with the goal of designing, building, and operating a railway network that links Sohar Port to the UAE National Rail Network, with a total project investment of 3 billion dollars.

The company will lay the groundwork and workplan for the execution of the project, including its financial mechanisms and schedule, and thus overseeing the design, implementation, and operation of the railway network, which connects Sohar and Abu Dhabi, in line with the standards of the two countries.