Etihad Rail () 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 finalised 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
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 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 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 , and its passenger trains will reach speeds up to .
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.
Stage One: Shah – Habshan – Ruwais (operational) Etihad Rail completed Stage One of the network in January 2016, delivered on schedule and within budget. The route spans , transporting granulated sulphur from sources at Shah and Habshan to the processing and export point at Ruwais. It currently has the capacity to transport 22,000 tonnes of granulated sulphur each day.
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. Etihad Rail DB is responsible for the operations and maintenance of Stage One of the railway network for Etihad Rail's primary customer, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
Stage One utilises seven state-of-the-art locomotives from U.S.-based Electro-Motive Diesel, equipped with the ETCS Level 2 in-cab European signalling system and international standard safety features. In addition, it is operating with up to 110 wagons per run, fully equipped with extended safety features including ECPB brakes and derailment protection.
Stage Two: Ghuweifat – Fujairah (operational) Stage Two opened on February 28, 2023. It will extend from Ghuwaifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the east coast.
Stage Two PMC & Engineering Contracts were awarded in 2018 to Egis Group and Jacobs Engineering Group respectively, for development and supervision of the next phase from Ghuwaifat in the west to Fujairah on the east coast.
Package A running for from Ghuwaifat to Ruwais (where the route links with Stage One of the network), will become the first rail connection between the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Contracts for the Design and Build of Package A were awarded to a joint venture between the China State Construction Engineering Corporation and South Korea's SK Engineering and Construction.