Travel from Sohar to Abu Dhabi could take just 100 minutes
Abu Dhabi: Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has officially approved the bilateral agreement for the development of a high-speed railway linking Oman and the UAE. The approval completes a major legal step for the $2.5 billion Hafeet Rail project. The Royal Decree ratifies the historic agreement signed by the two countries on June 21. The 238-kilometre railway will connect Sohar in Oman with the UAE’s national Etihad Rail network through Al Buraimi and Al Ain.
The Hafeet Rail project is being developed as a joint venture between Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala Investment Company. Once operational, passenger trains will travel at speeds of up to 200 km/h, allowing passengers to reach Al Ain from Sohar in around 47 minutes and Abu Dhabi in approximately 100 minutes. Along with passenger services, the project will also provide high-speed freight transport. Each cargo train will be capable of carrying more than 15,000 tonnes of goods and around 270 standard containers, giving a major boost to mining, steel, petrochemical, agriculture and e-commerce sectors in both countries.
Construction of the project is already around 40% complete, with work progressing rapidly in Al Ain, Al Buraimi, Sohar and Wadi Al Jizzi. The railway route will pass through mountains and valleys and will include advanced tunnels, bridges and flood-protection systems. The project is expected to strengthen transport and trade links between Oman and the UAE while creating a faster and more efficient connection for both passengers and cargo.

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