Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national rail network, has announced that steady progress is being made on Stage Two of the country's ambitious rail network.

 

It extends from Al Ghuwaifat on the UAE’s border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the eastern coast. Upon completion, the network will link ports, manufacturing hubs, and cities in the UAE, alongside connecting into the wider GCC rail network.

 

Across the project’s four packages, Etihad Rail has achieved 34% of overall progress on Stage Two of the network since constructions works began in January last year.

 

The pace in which progress is continually achieved, provides strong foundations for the incumbent completion of Stage Two, continuing the trend of ensuring the railway embeds leading safety standards and procedures throughout the project, said the statement from Etihad Rail.

 

To further accelarate the process, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure today partnered with Etihad Rail on the issuance of safety permits for Stage Two of the UAE’s national rail project.

 

The agreement was signed by Engineer Hassan Mohammed Juma Al Mansouri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and Etihad Rail CEO Shadi Malak in the presence of Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

 

The deal comes as Etihad Rail continues to drive progress on Stage Two of the UAE’s National Rail Network. 

 

On the collaboration, Al Mazrouei said: "The UAE continues to successfully enhance its transportation infrastructure: a key enabler of growth in the UAE’s industrial and service sectors. Furthermore, the transport sector delivers wider social and commercial benefits, as well as additional strategic advantages, supporting our nation’s sustainable development objectives." 

 

"Cumulatively, the industry helps to safeguard the past half-century of growth achieved in the UAE, alongside setting targets for the next fifty years, supporting UAE Centennial 2071 and enabling the UAE’s global leadership across a diverse range of sectors," he stated.

 

Al Mansouri pointed out that the provision of advanced infrastructure for the transport sector and the design of safe, integrated and sustainable mobility networks which are ingrained with cutting-edge technology are cornerstone priorities for the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. 

 

"Through such agreements, we look to grow the nation’s transportation sector, following the ambitious vision of the UAE government. Furthermore, the ministry utilises a wide cross-section of resources and assets, as well as investing in furthering the expertise and exceptional prowess found in the UAE. In doing so, we seek to achieve the aspirations of the government, furthering the UAE’s current and future prosperity in support of UAE Centennial 2071," he added.

 

Malak said the support of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure was invaluable for the development of the national rail network. "We appreciate the ministry’s commitment in ensuring that the network is completed in line with leading international practices, particularly in safety,” he stated.

 

"The ministry and Etihad Rail have established a safety authorisation issuance mechanism to fully audit safety permits. We will apply to the ministry for permits of various types, and permits will be issued once safety files have been audited and a report has been issued by an Independent Safety Assessor," he added.-TradeArabia News Service