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The UAE and Oman have signed an agreement to launch the region's first dedicated cross-border freight rail service, linking Abu Dhabi and Sohar. The deal between Hafeet Rail and Noatum Logistics will see seven container trains per week, each carrying 276 TEUs, enabling an annual capacity of nearly 193,200 TEUs. The service will transport goods such as manufactured items, food, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products, reducing costs, transit time, and carbon emissions. Announced at Global Rail 2025, the project supports both nations' sustainability and diversification goals, marking a milestone in green logistics and regional trade integration, and positioning the UAE-Oman corridor as a model for efficient, eco-friendly freight transport.
The UAE and Oman have taken a decisive step toward strengthening regional logistics integration with the signing of an agreement to establish the first dedicated cross-border freight rail service connecting Abu Dhabi and Sohar. The deal, finalised earlier this week between Hafeet Rail and Noatum Logistics, aims to provide a seamless and sustainable freight transport solution across the two Gulf nations. Advertisement
Under the agreement, Noatum Logistics will operate the freight services across Hafeet Rail's network, with seven container trains expected to run each week. Each train will have the capacity to carry 276 TEUs, representing a total annual throughput of nearly 193,200 TEUs. The trains will accommodate 20-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot containers, offering flexibility to cater to diverse cargo requirements.
The corridor will facilitate the efficient transport of various goods, including manufactured products, food items, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural commodities, which are currently moved primarily by road. The shift to rail is expected to significantly reduce transportation time, cost, and carbon emissions while improving supply chain reliability and cross-border trade efficiency.
The signing ceremony took place at the Global Rail 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, underscoring the growing importance of logistics connectivity in the region's infrastructure agenda. Noatum Logistics's CEO, Samir Chaturvedi, mentioned that this project connects two of the region's most vital hubs by rail for the first time, providing customers with an affordable, scalable, and eco-friendly transport solution. Hafeet Rail's CEO, Ahmed Al Musawa Al Hashemi, highlighted the milestone as a demonstration of the railway's commitment to driving sustainable logistics growth while enhancing trade relations between Oman and the UAE.
The partnership also complements both countries' broader economic diversification and decarbonisation goals. With rail freight offering a cleaner alternative to road transport, the initiative supports national sustainability targets and positions the UAE-Oman rail corridor as a model for green logistics development. Noatum Logistics, which already runs intra-UAE rail shuttle services such as the Khalifa Port-Fujairah link introduced in mid-2024, will extend its expertise to this cross-border operation, ensuring seamless integration of services.
The agreement ultimately signifies more than a logistical link; it marks the beginning of a unified infrastructure vision that aims to enhance regional competitiveness and attract investment in transport and trade sectors across the Gulf.
By establishing a high-capacity freight corridor between Abu Dhabi and Sohar, the initiative strengthens economic cooperation, improves trade efficiency, and advances sustainability objectives. Beyond enhancing cargo movement, it lays the groundwork for a long-term logistics framework that promotes cleaner transportation and deeper regional integration. As both nations continue aligning their infrastructure strategies, the corridor is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming the Gulf's freight landscape, supporting economic diversification, and positioning the UAE and Oman as regional leaders in sustainable logistics connectivity.
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