Etihad Rail Company, the developer and operator of the national rail network in the Emirates, has announced a three-fold increase in the size of its fleet of vehicles by awarding a contract for manufacturing, supplying, and operating modern vehicles for the rail network, bringing its fleet size to more than 1000 vehicles to serve the entire network, What paves the way for rail transport to become a major sector for the shipment of goods in a country, after the completion of the second stage of the network that will connect the entire country.
His Highness Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Diwan of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Etihad Rail Company, and Chairman of CRRC Group Ltd., Sun Yongcai, witnessed, via remote video communication technology, the company signed a contract agreement with the group « CRRC »Limited. His Highness was briefed on the latest developments in the project. The company’s board of directors, headed by His Highness, has approved the purchase of more than 800 additional vehicles, bringing the annual capacity of rail transport in the country to 59 million tons.
His Highness Sheikh Dhiab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “Etihad Rail Company is establishing a sustainable national railway network, which will bring about a qualitative change in the freight forwarding and logistical services sector in the UAE.”
His Highness added: “The national rail network supports the vision of leadership in economic growth and sustainable transport, as it is a new, developed and reliable means of transportation, designed to meet current and future needs, and related industrial sectors, according to the latest multimodal transportation systems.” The vehicles will be specially manufactured according to the specifications and standards of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and they will be equipped with the latest brake, signal, control, communication and safety systems, in addition to their suitability for the geographical nature and local climatic conditions in the UAE and the region.
By doubling the size of its fleet of vehicles three times, the network's annual transportation capacity will increase to eight times to reach 59 million tons annually of goods, such as transporting bulk cargo containers such as petrochemicals, raw steel and its products, limestone, cement, building materials, industrial and household waste, aluminum, and commodities Food and general merchandise, locally and internationally.
• 59 million tons, the annual carrying capacity of railways in the country.