Overview
The network, when complete, will be approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) in length, will connect all seven of its emirates, and will link the UAE to the KSA via Ghuweifat in the west running to Fujairah on the east coast.[7] The network will use diesel traction, with the potential to electrify in the future.
Etihad Rail's freight trains will reach speeds up to 120 km/h (75 mph),[8] and its passenger trains will reach speeds up to 200 km/h (120 mph).[7]
The network will use standard gauge, mainly double track, be designed for mixed-use traffic, use a European signaling system (ETCS level 2), and have heavy haul 32.5 tonnes axle loads and the loading gauge on the track accommodates double stack containers.
Stage One: Shah – Habshan – Ruwais (operational)
Etihad Rail completed Stage One of the network in January 2016,[3] delivered on schedule and within budget.[1] The route spans 264 km (164 mi), transporting granulated sulphur from sources at Shah and Habshan to the processing and export point at Ruwais.[3][7] It currently has the capacity to transport 22,000 tonnes of granulated sulphur each day.[3]
The operator of Stage One is Etihad Rail DB, which is a joint venture between Etihad Rail and Deutsche Bahn, Europe's largest railway operator, which was set up in 2013.[9] Etihad Rail DB is responsible for the operations and maintenance of Stage One of the railway network for Etihad Rail's primary customer, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.[10]
Stage One utilises seven state-of-the-art locomotives from U.S.-based Electro-Motive Diesel, equipped with the ETCS Level 2 in-cab European signalling system and international standard safety features.[11] In addition, it is operating with up to 110 wagons per run, fully equipped with extended safety features including ECPB brakes and derailment protection.[3]
Stage Two: Ghuweifat – Fujairah (operational)
Stage Two opened on February 28, 2023. It will extend 605 kilometres (376 mi) from Ghuwaifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the east coast.[3]
Stage Two PMC & Engineering Contracts were awarded in 2018 to Egis Group and Jacobs Solutions Inc respectively, for development and supervision of the next phase from Ghuwaifat in the west to Fujairah on the east coast.[12]
Package A running for 139 kilometres (86 mi) from Ghuwaifat to Ruwais (where the route links with Stage One of the network), will become the first rail connection between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.[13] Contracts for the Design and Build of Package A were awarded to a joint venture between the China State Construction Engineering Corporation and South Korea's SK Engineering and Construction.[3]
Packages B and C of the network, which connect Stage One to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, have been awarded to a joint venture between the China Railway Construction Corporation and the Ghantoot Transport & General Contracting Company.[3] Package B will link with Stage One at Tarif and run for 216 kilometres (134 mi) to Saih Shuaib and Package C from Saih Shuaib to Sharjah runs for 94 kilometres (58 mi) with a spur connection to Jebel Ali.[3]
Package D, running for 145 kilometres (90 mi), will connect to the port of Fujairah in continuation of Stage Two Package C from the Dubai/Sharjah Border, passing through the Emirates of Sharjah, Fujairah and Ras al-Khaimah.[3] The contract for Package D has been awarded to a joint venture of the China Railway Construction Corporation and National Projects and Construction, NPC.[3] Package D includes the construction of 35 bridges to span road systems, valleys and wadis, 32 underpasses and 15 tunnels, totaling 16 kilometres (9.9 mi), through the Al Hajar Mountains using blast-tunneling technology.[14]
A systems and integration contract has been awarded to Hitachi Rail STS for the supply of European Rail Traffic Management System technology and related equipment across the network.[15] A freight facilities contract was awarded to a joint venture of Larsen & Toubro and Power China International, to construct freight facilities for the railway network.[citation needed] Under the terms of the contract, the two companies will be jointly responsible for the surveying, design, construction, equipment installation, testing and pre-commissioning of each facility.[citation needed] Etihad Rail is building a series of freight facilities in Ruwais, Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), Khalifa Port, Dubai Industrial City, Jebel Ali Port, Al Ghayl & Fujairah Port capable of undertaking all loading and unloading operations, in addition to providing container storage and maintenance.[citation needed]
Progress Rail will design, manufacture, test, and ship 38 EMD locomotives specially designed to withstand the high temperatures and humidity of the gulf region. Additionally, the locomotives will be equipped with a state-of-the-art air filtration system that filters sand from the air intake and pulse cleaning systems, ensuring effective and efficient operations.[16]
A contract for an operations and management facility in Al Faya has been awarded to a joint venture led by Vinci Construction France. The facility will be the largest facility for the network; it will be responsible for warehousing, installations, operations, and the maintenance of locomotives and wagons.[17]
