Works are part of Package A of the UAE national railway network
HE Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, recently inaugurated track-laying works across Al Dhafra Region in Package A of Stage Two of the UAE’s national railway, during his visit to Etihad Rail’s railhead in Al Ruwais.
Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by Falah Mohammad Al Ahbabi, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport and Etihad Rail Board Member, and senior executives from the company.
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was briefed by Shadi Malak, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail, on construction progress of Package A, which will connect the UAE rail network to Al Ghuwaifat on the Saudi border and the wider GCC region. Having started in early 2020, steady progress has been made on construction of Package A, which is now 59% complete.
Key milestones
The project has achieved key milestones, with construction progress of Stage Two accelerated, while Etihad Rail’s Stage One continues to overachieve, with 2020 operations out performing 2019’s results.
A presentation on progress being made across Package A revealed that half of the soil preparation works have been completed, with 79% of sand and rock cutting also finished. Overall, 59% of Package A construction works have already concluded.
As the strategic enabler of the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for advanced logistics operations, Sheikh Hamdan stressed the need to continue developing all four packages of Stage Two, according to the highest international standards.
He also emphasised that the project aligns with one of the most important pillars of the UAE’s preparations for the next fifty years, and is a major contributor to the growth of the national economy, as the development of a national railway network enables a sustainable transport sector.
Government priorities
During the presentation, Shadi Malak, CEO, Etihad Rail, referred to the directives of the Government on the importance of training and employing young nationals to lead this vital sector, pointing out that the company’s team includes several Emiratis working in key positions.
In addition, he stated that Etihad Rail has established the first railway Diploma in the UAE, to train and qualify the young Emiratis to be the driving force for this strategic national project, and confirmed that the first batch of students graduated in 2020 and already working on site.
The visit was attended by HE Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; HE Dr. Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, CEO, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC; HE Eng. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Department of Energy, Member of the Executive Council, in addition to several senior officials.
