New rail network on track to bring billions into UAE economy 

New rail network on track to bring billions into UAE economy 

DUBAI — The United Arab Emirates officially launched its transnational freight train network on Thursday, a project expected to contribute $54.46 billion to the country’s economy over the next 50 years. 

It will link all seven emirates via one main railway extending 900 kilometers (560 miles) to connect four major ports and facilitate better transportation of goods across the country, according to the UAE government news agency, WAM. 

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE prime minister and ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the network at the main control and maintenance center in Abu Dhabi’s Al Fayah region. 

23-02-2023... One day... Seven emirates... A distinguished date... The official launch of the UAE’s National Rail Network, signaling the start of operations for freight trains, according to the schedule and budget specified. pic.twitter.com/Yn2XdWeCmM

— Etihad Rail (@Etihad_Rail) February 24, 2023

Stage one of the rail network was completed and operational in January 2016. Since then, it has been transporting about 22,000 tons of granulated sulfur each day from Habshan and Shah to Ruwais, on behalf of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. 

Stage two began in 2020, and now connects the extreme western border with Saudi Arabia in the Abu Dhabi region of Ghuweifat, to the areas of KIZAD,