In the presence of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Saeed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates announced the launch of the “National Railway Project”. It aims to list the trend of the railway sector at UAE level for the coming years and for decades to come. Railway plans to carry passengers directly between Emirates and the country’s cities, including Etihad Rail, are the first of its kind to connect various cities and regions of the Emirates, launching its first phase of operations in 2016, with the possibility of expanding beyond the Emirates border. The “National Railway Plan” comes under the umbrella of 50 projects, the largest set of national strategic projects seeking to establish a new phase of internal and external development for the country over the next fifty years, thus improving its position regionally and internationally. As a global hub for leadership and excellence, it has elevated its competitiveness in various fields, leading to world-class rankings.

This took place during a special event held at “Expo Dubai” for 50 projects, during which the objectives of the National Railway project were explored and the “Etihad train” that runs from Kuwait to the border was highlighted. For the port of Fujairah on the east coast of Saudi Arabia, review the completion and operational status within the specified schedule.

Commenting on this, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: The Union Rail is the largest project to consolidate the strength of the Union over the next fifty years, connecting 11 cities and regions remotely to the Emirates.

Hess Hynes added, “The UAE’s infrastructure is one of the best in the world … and Emirates Rail will consolidate Emirates’ global dominance in the logistics sector.” Etihad Rail is in line with the country’s environmental policy. Will support the country’s efforts in achieving climate neutrality.

For his part, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saeed Al Nahyan said, “The National Railway Project involves the idea of ​​integrating into our economic system through the largest partnership between federal and local government agencies with a view to linking industry and manufacturing. Opening centers and new trade routes … And facilitating population movement and creating a more developed work and living environment in the region.

His Highness confirmed: “The National Railway Project will contribute to a qualitative improvement in the overland transport system so that it will be more efficient and effective … strengthening our economic system regionally and internationally and incorporating a second policy. The Fifty Charter to build the best and most vibrant economy in the world”. . ” His Highness added: “The National Railway Project will contribute to the qualification of a new generation of national staff capable of guiding the railway sector in the future. Scientific knowledge and skills are a qualitative addition to the basis of our skills and expertise.”

Sheikh Tiab bin Mohammed bin Saeed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Etihad Rail, said, “The National Railway Project promotes economic growth and contributes to quality improvement. In a highly efficient and sustainable transportation system that will meet the needs of the next fifty years. “The country is keeping pace with the rapid growth seen in various sectors.” “The investment of intelligent leadership is eager to invest. One of the most important incentives to develop the National Railways project is to qualify for national capabilities. Through these capabilities, we strive to create the most advanced railway system in the world.”

Qualification of National Employees

In this context, Engineer Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, said: “The Etihad Rail project is overseen by national competencies with exceptional experience in the relatively recent field in the country, which they collected during the first and second phase of development. “The Etihad Rail project will continue to qualify talent.” The National Railway Department can lead the railway sector in the future and provide them with the knowledge, expertise and scientific skills they need. Other sectors, “The National Railway Plan will contribute to providing more than 9,000 jobs in the railways and ancillary sectors by 2030.

Regarding the launch of passenger train services, Malak assured that the Etihad passenger train will enhance the sense of communication and solidarity between the residents of the UAE from one end to the other as they will be able to travel between the capital and Dubai. 50 minutes, and just 100 minutes between the capital and Fujairah.

In his role, Eng., Deputy Project Manager, Etihad Rail. Col. Al Masrooy said: “Etihad Rail integrates with urban transport in the country and supports the provision of a comprehensive public transport system to take the United Arab Emirates to the forefront. Infrastructure.” Many impressive results, including: work to develop a new functional rail transport system, which would carry 30,000 tons of sulfur per day instead of 5,000 tons per truck, which contributed to the occupation of the UAE’s sulfur. Exports, as well as 2.5 million truck trips, have been eliminated, meaning road safety, lower maintenance costs and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Three strategic plans

The National Railway Project aims to draw a new road map for transporting goods and passengers by train in the United Arab Emirates. Improving the Emirates of the State and the Social Welfare System in a way that integrates the sectors within the country, and between the various sectors.

The National Railways project will provide an investment of 50 billion dirhams, of which 70% will be targeted at the local market. The National Railway Plan will contribute to a 70-80% reduction in carbon emissions compared to other modes of transport. Protect the environment of the United Arab Emirates and achieve the goal of climate neutrality.

The most important features of the National Railway Plan are the three strategic plans; The first was freight train services, which included the development of the “Union Rail” network. One of the most important aspects of the project is that it will connect 4 major ports and include the construction of 7 logistics centers serving various trains and businesses in the country. By 2040 the volume of traffic will reach 85 million tons of cargo. It will also reduce transportation costs by up to 30%.

The second project involves the launch of passenger train services, where passenger trains will connect 11 cities with Fujairah, improving the sense of communication among the country’s residents and traveling at speeds of up to 200 km per hour. By 2030, the train will be able to carry more than 36.5 million passengers annually from one end of the country to the other.

The third project is the Integrated Transport Service, which will establish an innovation hub in the transport sector that will connect trains with net trains of light transport and smart transport solutions within cities as an integrated alternative that serves all residents and visitors. Developing smart applications and solutions for planning and booking travel across the country, and achieving integration between operational logistics, port and customs services, providing integrated first and last mile logistics solutions.

Through the National Railway Project, a comprehensive and integrated transport system will be created that will open up development opportunities and valuable economic opportunities worth 200 billion dirhams. The total estimated benefits of reducing carbon emissions will be 21 billion dirhams, and 8 billion dirhams will be saved on road maintenance costs, with tourism benefits estimated at 23 billion dirhams over the next 50 years, with the general benefit to the state’s economy reaching 23 billion dirhams.

The National Railway Plan translates into the plans and strategies that have worked to improve the performance of this key sector, the vision of the brilliant leadership who have been at the forefront of the country’s land transport sector in improving the country’s infrastructure since its inception. To increase its competitiveness.

The National Railway Plan improves the infrastructure of the transport sector by upgrading the National Railway Network, with a major focus on national plans for development, modernization and urban planning.

The plans of the National Railways project are integrated with the urban transport systems in the various emirates of the country, providing a comprehensive public transport system that enjoys high quality and competitiveness, thus ensuring the position of the United Arab Emirates in developed countries in transport. Achieve coordination of logistics activities with the department, as well as port and customs services in the country.

Furthermore, the National Railway Project supports various government objectives in many key sectors, especially industry and commerce.

Union train

As a key strategic project, “Etihad Rail” creates a quality leap in the transportation system at the Emirates, within a holistic view that includes freight and passenger transport. The train will connect all the emirates of the country, and will connect the United Arab Emirates with Saudi Arabia via the city of Kuwait in the west and Fujairah on the east coast, thus becoming an important part of the regional distribution network. And the global commercial transport movement.

The first phase of the Etihad train was completed, commissioned and commenced operations in late 2016. Construction of the second phase of the “Etihad Rail” project began in early 2020, covering the geographical area of ​​the various landscapes. , In the middle of the desert, sea and mountains, within a large-scale engineering project, including the construction of bridges and tunnels to ensure the highest uniform flow of vehicular traffic under the railway network tracks.

Work on the second phase of the Etihad Rail continues at a rapid pace, during which time despite the Govt-19 epidemic and the economic downturn in various parts of the country, 70 per cent of the project was completed within 24 months. Worldwide, the program has the support of over 180 parties and officials.

More than 27,000 professionals, specialists and workers work at more than 3,000 construction sites across the Emirates, and have so far accomplished 76 million man-hours using more than 6,000 machinery and equipment.

Promote social well-being

At the national and humanitarian level, the National Railway Project is one of the factors integrating social well-being in the United Arab Emirates because it directly touches the lives of the people living in the country and enhances the quality of life by facilitating movement. Making transportation and the public transportation system in the state more efficient and effective and enhancing the sense of interdependence and synchronization between different countries, enabling Emirates residents to move quickly, efficiently, conveniently and affordably between its regions. Emirates regions by connecting to a modern, world-class railway network providing services to different parts of the country.

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