Historic Cross-Country Railway Project Connects UAE and Oman

In a landmark development, Siemens Mobility and Hassan Allam Construction have been awarded the contract to design and build the railway systems and integration for the Abu Dhabi – Sohar railway link. This project marks the first-ever cross-country railway network in the Middle East and the Arab world, connecting the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to Sohar in the Sultanate of Oman over a length of 303km.

The Oman section of the network is particularly significant as it represents the first railway system to be delivered in the history of the Sultanate of Oman. The consortium will deliver the design, build, and integration of the ETCS Level 2 signaling, telecom, and power supply systems over the railway link. The signaling solutions are state-of-the-art and desert-proof.

Andre Rodenbeck, CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, expressed pride in providing the latest intelligent technology solutions and continuous support to UAE and Oman’s ambitions and vision. Ayman Ashour, CEO of Siemens Mobility in the UAE, stated that the strategic project will contribute to the social and economic advancement of both countries and will be a ground-breaking project for the entire region.

Hassan Allam, the Chairman of Hassan Allam Construction, expressed pride in joining Siemens Mobility in delivering the advanced signaling solutions that will ensure the safe and seamless transportation of passengers and goods between UAE and Oman.

The project, part of a vision to connect the different GCC nations through a Rail Network, will be fully integrated into the current and proposed Regional GCC railway network. The UAE – Oman Railway network (Hafeet Rail) will connect the port of Sohar in the Sultanate of Oman to the UAE National Railway network at Abu Dhabi, a network which connects all the seven emirates of the UAE up to the border of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Through this historic project, both countries aim to ease the practice of cross-border trade and raise the efficiency of the supply chain system by linking commercial ports and economic zones to the railway network and enhancing commercial and social connectivity between the two countries. The project also aims to link industrial hubs between the two nations and enhance the effectiveness of logistical services, as well as the expansion of different industrial sectors, economic activity, and tourism.

The legal teams of both Siemens Mobility and Hassan Allam Construction have played a crucial role in ensuring the successful execution of this project.

The project, part of a vision to connect the different GCC nations through a Rail Network, will be fully integrated into the current and proposed Regional GCC railway network. The UAE – Oman Railway network (Hafeet Rail) will connect the port of Sohar in the Sultanate of Oman to the UAE National Railway network at Abu Dhabi, a network which connects all the seven emirates of the UAE up to the border of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.