Etihad Rail Network: Project Profile

The Etihad Rail network is a landmark infrastructure project establishing a comprehensive, 1,200 km national freight and passenger railway across the United Arab Emirates. Engineered to connect the UAE’s key industrial, manufacturing, and population centers, the network is designed to revolutionize logistics and transportation. Its implementation provides a vital link in the planned Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) railway, promoting regional economic integration and sustainable development.

Technical Specifications

The Etihad Rail network is a showcase of modern railway engineering, designed for the unique environmental conditions of the Arabian Peninsula. The rolling stock fleet includes state-of-the-art SD70ACS electro-motive diesel locomotives, each capable of hauling 100 wagons with a total capacity of 5,000 tonnes. These locomotives are equipped with specialized in-line air filtration and high-performance cooling systems. For passenger services, the network will utilize push-pull trains with a capacity of over 400 passengers, designed to connect 11 cities from Al Sila to Fujairah.

The entire network is controlled by the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2, supplied by Hitachi Rail STS. This advanced, communications-based signalling system ensures high levels of safety, efficiency, and interoperability across the network. The civil infrastructure is equally robust, featuring 593 bridges and crossings and nine tunnels totalling 6.5 km in length, engineered to traverse challenging terrain including the Hajar Mountains.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Economic Integration: The network connects the UAE’s major ports, including Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali, to key industrial zones and links with Saudi Arabia, fundamentally enhancing trade efficiency and positioning the UAE as a central logistics hub within the GCC.
• Commitment to Sustainability: By shifting a significant volume of freight from road to rail, Etihad Rail is projected to reduce CO2 emissions by 21% and cut road transport costs by 8%. A single train journey removes up to 300 trucks from the road, substantially reducing traffic congestion and transportation-related pollution.
• Technological Benchmark: The implementation of the ETCS Level 2 signalling system across the entire network represents a significant technological advancement for the region. This system enhances operational safety and capacity, setting a new standard for railway infrastructure in the Middle East.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will Etihad Rail be open for passengers?
The freight network is fully operational across the UAE. The passenger service, which will connect 11 cities and reduce travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to just 50 minutes, is currently under development with future operational dates to be announced.

Who is building the Etihad Rail network?
Etihad Rail is the master developer. The construction of Stage Two was managed through several packages awarded to global and local consortia, including a joint venture of China’s CRCC and Ghantoot Transport & General Contracting, and another between India’s Larsen & Toubro and Power China International. Hitachi Rail STS was contracted to supply the advanced ETCS Level 2 signalling and telecommunications systems.