[ad_1]
DUBAI – United Arab Emirates officially launches its multinational freight train network On Thursday, the project was expected to contribute $54.46 billion to the country’s economy over the next 50 years.
It will link all seven emirates with a 900-kilometer (560-mile) main railway to connect four major ports and facilitate better cargo movement across the country, the UAE government news agency WAM reported.
The network was inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the main control and maintenance center in Abu Dhabi’s Fayyah area.
23-02-2023…one day…seven emirates…an important day…the official launch of the national rail network of the UAE, marking the start of freight train operations according to the specified schedule and budget. pic.twitter.com/Yn2XdWeCmM
— Etihad Rail (@Etihad_Rail) February 24, 2023
The first phase of the rail network was completed and operational in January 2016. Since then, it has transported approximately 22,000 tonnes of granulated sulfur per day from Habshan and Shah to Ruwais on behalf of ADNOC.
The second phase started in 2020 and now connects the Ghuweifat Abu Dhabi region with the westernmost border of Saudi Arabia to KIZAD, Khalifa Port, Jebel Ali Port, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE East Coast etc. Region Fujairah Emirate.
The cross-country network includes a fleet of 38 locomotives and 1,000 utility vehicles capable of carrying 60 million tons of cargo per year. These industrial products include petrochemicals, crude steel, limestone, aluminum, cement, industrial and household waste, and food.
Each locomotive is powered by a 4,500 horsepower or 3,400 kilowatt engine and can run at speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles).
According to WAM, despite rail being a traditional mode of transport, a 21% reduction in carbon emissions from the rail transport sector and a 40% reduction in total road transport emissions per capita by 2050 are in line with the UAE’s sustainable development goals.
Over the period, the railway is expected to save the UAE more than $2 billion in road and maintenance costs, in addition to boosting tourism revenue by around $6 billion.
The trains are said to be specially designed to withstand the geographical stresses of desert regions, including high temperatures and low humidity, while maintaining their performance, efficiency and sustainability.
Looking ahead, the national rail network is also looking to expand.
Etihad Rail and Oman Railways announced a partnership with UAE sovereign wealth fund Mubadala on Tuesday to build a 303-kilometer (188-mile) line from Oman’s Sohar port to the UAE’s national rail network, according to Abramovich. Rail Network, worth more than $3 billion Zhabi Media Office.
According to Etihad Rail, Emirates Railways will also be the gateway to the expected Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) rail network and one-day access to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.
[ad_2]
Source link