Etihad Rail Chairman witnessed the signing of agreement for manufacturing and supplying passenger trains valued at US$ 326.7mn
An agreement was recently signed between Etihad Rail and Spain’s CAF for supplying, and maintaining passenger trains in the Sakamkam area, where the first passenger train station will be built in the heart of Fujairah city.
Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Chairman of Etihad Rail, visited the final package of Stage Two of the UAE National Rail Network, which extends for 145km from Sharjah to Fujairah Port and Ras Al Khaimah, to review the progress of rail construction works in these Emirates.
During the visit, which started in Al Suyoh area in Sharjah and concluded in Sakamkam, the Chairman inspected key landmarks on the project’s route in the final package of Stage Two of the network starting with the rail bridge in Al Suyoh area in Sharjah, followed by a stop in Al Bithnah area in Fujairah to visit Al Bithnah bridge, then headed to visit a number of tunnels where he witnessed tracklaying works across the tunnels in Al Hajar Mountains in Fujairah.
Accompanied by HE Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, the Chairman witnessed the signing of an agreement between Etihad Rail and Spain’s CAF company, one of the world leaders in the railway sector, for designing, manufacturing, supplying, and maintaining passenger trains for the Etihad Rail project valued at US$ 326.7mn (AED 1.2bn)
The agreement, which emerged as a result of Etihad Rail’s success at the Middle East Rail 2022, was signed by Shadi Malak, CEO, Etihad Rail, and Josu Imaz, CEO, Rolling Stock, CAF, in the presence of HE Inigo de Palacio, Ambassador of Spain to the UAE, and officials from both sides. The agreement was signed in Sakamkam area, where the first passenger train station will be built in the heart of Fujairah city.
Etihad Rail Passenger Trains
The passenger train will connect eleven cities and regions in the UAE from Al Sila to Fujairah, including Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, and Abu Dhabi. Passenger services will allow travellers to plan their journeys between the Emirates and cities of the UAE more efficiently, from booking their tickets until they reach their final destination.
They will reduce commute time by 30-40% compared to other modes of transport, where travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, and from Dubai to Fujairah, will take only 50 minutes only, travelling from Abu Dhabi to Al Ruwais will take 70 minutes only, while travelling from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will take 100 minutes only.
The National Railway Network Stage Two
The National Rail Network’s route in the final package of Stage Two extends for 145km, connecting the borders of Dubai and Sharjah, going through Fujairah all the way to Ras Al Khaimah. It comprises 54 bridges and 20 wildlife crossing points.
It also has nine tunnels which extend for 6.9km through Al Hajar Mountains, including the largest heavy freight railway tunnel in the Arab Gulf which runs for 1.8km. The route is known for its distinct geographic location, being surrounded by mountains on all sides.
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