ETIHAD Rail, the state-owned railway company of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is planning to open the 250km Abu Dhabi - Al Dhannah line to passenger services. This marks the first time passenger trains will operate on the mainline network in the UAE, which was largely completed in February, and has been used exclusively for freight until now.
However, the service will not be open to the general public but will serve employees of the national oil company Adnoc, under a strategic agreement signed by Adnoc and Etihad Rail.
No details have been confirmed as to when the service will commence, or when the general public will be able to travel by rail, with Etihad Rail stating that it is “continuing to progress the development of its passenger services.”
“This partnership underscores Adnoc’s commitment to supporting sustainable transport solutions and infrastructure development projects in the UAE,” says Adnoc CEO, Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, who is also the UAE’s minister of industry and advanced technology, when signing the agreement with Etihad Rail.
2030 target
Etihad Rail has previously stated that it will transport an estimated 36.5 million people between 11 cities annually by rail by 2030. The railway signed a Dirhams 1.99bn green loan agreement with First Abu Dhabi Bank to finance passenger services in February 2022. It also reached a Dirhams 1.2bn agreement with CAF to design, manufacture, supply and maintain 200km/h push-pull diesel trains in June 2022. The trains will have capacity for more than 400 passengers. There is no information, however, on whether these or other trains will be used for the Adnoc service.
Etihad Rail also signed an agreement with CRRC in February for the supply of three 200km/h passenger trains. The contract includes an option for an additional 20 sets and a 15-year maintenance agreement. The trains will consist of a diesel locomotive, five passenger coaches, and a driving trailer vehicle.
Etihad Rail has also identified the eastern city of Fujairah as the location for the first passenger station. Earlier this year, it was announced that an Orient Express-style luxury train was being planned between Fujairah, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, in collaboration with Italy’s Arsenale Group.
