Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), the master developer of ports and industrial zones, has signed a deal with Etihad Rail to provide the framework to plan an integrated bulk and container railway terminal facility at the Khalifa Port.

The MoU was signed recently by Dr Nasser Al Mansoori, CEO of Etihad Rail,and Capt Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of ADPC, at Khalifa Port’s visitor centre.

The 1,200-km Etihad Rail network will complement ADPC’s transportation and industrial infrastructure linking ADPC facilities, including Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) and the adjacent Khalifa Port, said a statement.

The railway network will offer logistics companies an enhanced transportation system combining sea, road and rail, when integrated with ADPC’s infrastructure, it said.

The network will also form a vital part of a wider GCC railway network, connecting the UAE with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

“Etihad Rail’s railway terminal connection at ADPC will play an essential role in the overall connectivity of the railway with key centres of economic importance to the UAE and the region, enabling a stronger and more efficient supply chain.  Etihad Rail’s connectivity to Khalifa Port and Kizad will also enable our customers to realise further growth and expand their reach in the UAE and GCC,” said Dr Al Mansoori.

The rail network is being developed in three stages - construction on stage one, which will extend 264 km from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais in the Western region of Abu Dhabi, is well underway. Testing and commissioning on the Habshan-Ruwais route commenced last year.

In addition to connecting to key ADPC hubs and spanning 628 km, stage two will extend the network to Dubai, Saudi Arabia through Ghweifat and to Oman through Al Ain.

The third stage will add another 279 km of rail and connect to the Northern Emirates, including Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah. - TradeArabia News Service