The Board of Directors of Oman and Etihad Rail Company, the developer and operator of the railway network linking the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), held a meeting in Muscat on Wednesday, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Etihad Rail Company

The board reviewed the progress of the project that envisages an efficient railway network linking Oman’s Sohar Port with the UAE’s National Railway Network.

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«This rail network will be in line with the global standards,» officials said.

While reviewing the status of the project, the board was happy to note some achievements such as innovative engineering solutions employed to tackle diverse terrains along the route.

«This led to a 25% reduction in tunnel works and a 50% reduction in bridge construction,» the officials informed.

The project boasts several 2.5km long tunnels and bridges reaching a height of 34m.

Specialised hydrological solutions were incorporated for diverse weather conditions along the network, they added.

The board also reviewed the progress of different tenders for all project packages, encompassing civil works, systems, locomotives, and trailers.

The meeting highlighted the active involvement of local companies and their cooperation with prominent global companies specialised in these fields, as well as the significance of driving local added value across all aspects of the project.

In addition, the board recognised the advancements in tender processes for different project segments and commended the strong partnerships established, both domestically and globally.

The importance of localisation in stimulating economic contributions was accentuated, alongside the efficient coordination between parties in the UAE and Oman, as demonstrated by the rapid issuance of permits and certificates.

The board also discussed the company’s collaborative strategies with various firms in the UAE and Oman to establish integrated logistics solutions.

These initiatives aim to interlink the railway network with ports, maritime and land shipping, and logistics services, including warehousing and distribution, to cater to the evolving demands of customers.

The meeting ended with a discussion on plans required for the integration of logistics solutions, linking rail networks, ports, freight, and services to meet customer needs.

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The board emphasised the project’s role in enhancing commercial activity and social cohesion by linking economic, industrial, commercial, and residential areas of the two countries through this network.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Etihad Rail; Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman and Etihad Rail Company, and H E Eng Said bin Hamoud bin Said al Ma’awali, Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and members of the board.

Photo, source: muscatdaily

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