How will the new railway connect Oman and the UAE?

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A New Railway Will Connect Oman's Sohar Port with Abu Dhabi

A new US$3 billion railway project will establish a direct link between Oman's Sohar port and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This 303-kilometer (188 miles) railway is designed for passenger trains capable of speeds up to 200 kilometers per hour and will integrate with the UAE's existing national rail network currently under development. The agreement for this joint venture between Oman Rail and the UAE's Etihad Rail was formalized during a visit by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed to Muscat.
Integration with UAE's National Network

The planned railway will not operate in isolation; it is intended to connect seamlessly with the UAE's broader national rail network. This network, being constructed by Etihad Rail, will eventually span 1,200 kilometers of track. Its completion will link all seven emirates within the UAE, extend to the border of Saudi Arabia, and now, crucially, to Oman. The construction of the Etihad Rail network is reported to be 70 percent complete, indicating significant progress on the UAE's side of the infrastructure.
Strategic Importance of Sohar Port

Sohar port, the Omani terminus for this new railway, is a significant deep-sea facility located on the Gulf of Oman. Its strategic positioning, coupled with a joint venture partnership with the port of Rotterdam, positions it as a key trade nexus between Asia and Europe. The development of this railway is expected to yield substantial economic and social benefits, as highlighted by Abdulrahman Salim Al Hatmi, Group CEO of Oman Rail's parent company Asyad.
Project Collaboration and Scope

The establishment of this cross-border railway represents a collaborative effort between Oman Rail and Etihad Rail. This joint venture was agreed upon during a high-level meeting in Muscat, underscoring the strategic importance of the project for both nations. While no specific completion date has been provided for this new Omani-UAE link, the progress on the wider UAE network suggests a forward momentum for regional rail connectivity.

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How will the new railway connect Oman and the UAE?

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