Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Etihad Rail for a new railway terminal at Khalifa Port.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Nasser Al Mansoori, CEO of Etihad Rail, and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of ADPC, at Khalifa Port’s visitor centre.
The MoU will provide the framework to plan an integrated bulk and container railway terminal facility at the Port of Khalifa as part of the UAE’s national railway network.
The 1,200 kilometre Etihad rail network will link facilities to the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad), a 420-square kilometre industrial zone, expected to be completed in 2030.
When integrated with ADPC’s infrastructure, the railway will be able to offer companies an enhanced transport system combining rail, road and sea.
The network will be developed in three stages. Primary construction linking Shah and Habshan to Ruwais in the western region of Abu Dhabi is already underway.
In addition to linking to ADPC hubs, the Etihad network will also form a vital part of a wider GCC railway network, connecting UAE with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Stage two will span 628 kilometres to extend the rail network to Dubai, Saudi Arabia through Ghweifat and to Oman via Al Ain.
The final stage will add another 279 kilometres of rail and connect to the Northern Emirates, including Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.