If you’ve been waiting for the UAE-Oman railway to stop being just a grand plan and actually start taking shape, here’s some news to make your day. Work has finally begun on the multi-billion-dollar Hafeet Rail project, and no, this isn’t another announcement gathering dust. This is the real deal, with construction teams already clocking over a million man-hours!
UAE-Oman Hafeet Rail Work Kicks Off
تتواصل أعمال الإنشاءات على امتداد مسار السكك الحديدية بين سلطنة عُمان ودولة الإمارات، في العديد من المناطق بمحافظتي شمال الباطنة والبريمي، وفي إمارة أبوظبي.#حفيت_للقطارات #سلامة_العمال #مليون_ساعة_عمل #نجاحاتنا #عمان_الإمارات pic.twitter.com/nhlioXPGgB
— Hafeet Rail (@hafeetrail) June 13, 2025
Since 2022, talk of a railway linking the UAE and Oman has floated around. But May 2024 marked the point where it all moved from paper to action. Hafeet Rail, the joint venture between Etihad Rail and Oman Rail, teamed up with major construction companies and rolled up its sleeves. A social media update on 13 June 2025 gave us a glimpse of the progress. Starting from Abu Dhabi’s desert, it stretches to Oman’s North Al Batinah and Al Buraimi regions. The numbers? 60 bridges (some soaring 34 metres high), 2.5 kilometres of tunnels, and a railway line that will be all set to run through the valleys and everything in between.
What’s In It For You? Faster Trips, Greener Travel
Let’s get to the bit you care about – what this means for your travel. The Hafeet Rail will connect Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area to the Omani port city of Sohar. The trains will speed along at up to 200 kilometres per hour. Picture travelling from UAE capital to Sohar in just 100 minutes. No more long drives or crawling across borders. And with room for 400 passengers per train, expect comfort along with speed.
It’s not just about people, though. The freight trains will have the muscle to carry the load of 300 trucks. That’s 15,000 tonnes of general cargo in a single trip. The bonus? It will cut carbon emissions from trucks by a massive 80 per cent. So, you’ll not only get your goods faster, but you’ll also be doing the planet a favour. Plus, the rail will link five key ports and several free zones, slashing delivery times by half. Businesses, rejoice!
Also Read: Driving Down From UAE To Oman In A Mortgaged Car? Here’s How to Avoid Border Delays!
A Rail Revolution In The Making
With shared teams, joint operations, and an ambitious timeline, this project aims to lead the way for the long-envisioned GCC railway. So, whether you’re a commuter, an adventurer eyeing a weekend in Oman, or a business owner looking at faster trade routes, this rail is set to change the game. And if the pace of progress so far is any hint, you won’t be waiting too long to hop on board!
Cover Image Courtesy: Hafeet Rail/X
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