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UAE of the future: Eitihad Rail

August 20, 2022

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Highest under bridge structure in the UAE. Located within Al Bithnah, Fujairah, this fascinating 600 m long multi-span bridge, will facilitate the trade route to and from the emirate, playing a pivotal role.Fujairah Railway. Etihad Rail. — Photo: Tania Rodrigues

Etihad Rail (Arabic: الاتحاد للقطارات) is the United Arab Emirates national railway network. It was established in June 2009 under Federal Law No. 2 to manage the development, construction and operation of the United Arab Emirates’ national freight and passenger railway network. Etihad Rail aims to link the UAE’s principal centres of industry and population, and to link these centres with other railways throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Etihad Rail is being developed in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and the UAE Vision 2021, which in turn contributes to economic diversification through strategic initiatives set to bolster UAE socio-economic growth and diversification.

Commercial operations of Stage One commenced in January 2016 on time and within budget. The operator of Stage One is Etihad Rail DB, which is a joint venture between Etihad Rail and Deutsche Bahn, Europe’s largest railway operator, which was set up in 2013.

Since the signing of finance agreements for Stage Two, Etihad Rail has finalized routes and reserved Etihad Rail’s corridors and lands by signing agreements with the relevant authorities throughout the Emirates, awarded all of Stage Two packages and launched constructions work on these packages.

History

In 2004, the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council commissioned a feasibility study regarding a railway network spanning the region. Etihad Rail was founded in June 2009 following the passage of Federal Law No. 2.

Stage One

264 km (164 mi) long Stage One of Etihad Rail connecting the inland gas fields of Liwa and Shah to the port town of Ruwais, became operational in January 2016.

Stage Two

Construction of 605 kilometres (376 mi) long on Stage Two, which will run from Ghuweifat, on the border of Saudi Arabia, to Fujairah, on the UAE’s eastern coast, began in 2020. The first track for Stage Two was laid in early 2021.

Network

Overview

The network, when complete, will be approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) in length, will connect all seven of its emirates, and will link the UAE to the KSA via Ghuweifat in the west running to Fujairah on the east coast. The network will use diesel traction, with the potential to electrify in the future.

Etihad Rail’s freight trains will reach speeds up to 120 km/h (75 mph), and its passenger trains will reach speeds up to 200 km/h (120 mph).

The network will use standard gauge, mainly double track, be designed for mixed-use traffic, use a European signaling system (ETCS level 2), and have heavy haul 32.5 tonnes axle loads and the loading gauge on the track accommodates double stack containers.

Refrence: Etihad Rail website/ Wikipedia