All we know about incredible £8bn railway being built in the desert | World | News

A new railway across the United Arab Emirates is fast taking shape and when it opens it will offer passengers one of the most impressive train journeys anywhere in the world, and here’s what we know so far about the incredible rail project. Costing the equivalent of around £8.3bn, the 559-mile route will connect 11 cities across all seven emirates and create the UAE’s first national freight and passenger rail network. Etihad Rail will launch its passenger rail service in 2026, connecting the UAE with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.

Once completed, the new route will connect major cities such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Journeys that currently take hours by car will be significantly reduced.

The network is expected to carry more than 36 million passengers annually by 2030, connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes with the newly announced high-speed train.

Trains with a top speed of 194 miles per hour will reduce travel times and make day trips to another emirate quick and convenient.

The project forms part of Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy beyond oil by improving logistics, trade and mobility.

The Etihad Rail network will connect 11 major cities across all seven emirates of the UAE, providing a modern, efficient transport link that facilitates both passenger travel and freight movement, while also improving regional connectivity and supporting economic growth.

Ruwais Inland Terminal connects major ports including Ruwais Port, ICAD, Khalifa Port, DIC, Jebel Ali Port, Al Ghail Dry Port, Fujairah Port, Ghuwaifat Terminal, Shah Terminal and Habshan Terminal.

More than 590 bridges and passages were built, as well as nine mountain tunnels with a total length of more than 6.5 kilometers.

Building the Etihad Railway in the UAE desert required innovative engineering to overcome extreme temperatures, shifting sands and soft soils

The trains are designed to withstand extreme desert climates, sand, humidity and high temperatures.

The project was established in June 2009, following the passage of Federal Law No. 2, and in 2024, Etihad Rail and Oman Rail launched a joint project called Hafeet Rail. This project aims to build a 190-mile railway connecting the Etihad Rail network in Abu Dhabi to the port of Sohar in Oman, with the route passing through Al Ain.

The journey will feature a wide variety of landscapes, from city skylines to the seashore, from the desert to sand dunes and towering mountains.

Freight services are already active on the first section between the domestic energy fields at Shah and Habshan and the export hub at Ruwais, with trains operating since 2016.

Railway lines between Ruwais, Habshan and Shah are already in operation and transport sulfur and other materials safely, replacing thousands of trucks.

The second and largest phase, connecting the Saudi border at Ghuwaifat to Fujairah, opened in February 2023, expanding the operational network to approximately 559 miles.

Etihad Rail and Keolis have formed a joint venture to run the UAE’s first national passenger rail service, and Keolis already operates metro and tram systems in 13 countries, including Dubai Metro.

Azza Alsuwaidi, Deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility, said: “The UAE is on the cusp of a new and dynamic era in mobility, and at Etihad Rail we are proud to continue this transformation under the guidance of our Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“This joint venture is a bold step towards the launch of passenger services in the country. By partnering with Keolis, an organization aligned with our vision and goals, we are increasing our operational readiness with the highest levels of efficiency.

“Keolis brings extensive expertise in managing complex rail networks safely and efficiently while keeping passenger satisfaction a priority. Its proven success both locally and globally makes it the ideal partner for what we aim to achieve.

“This partnership is about more than building railways; it is about shaping the future of transport in our country and laying the groundwork for the launch of our passenger services in 2026. We are committed to providing a seamless, world-class rail service that will transform the travel experience and improve the quality of life in the UAE.”

The exact date when the Etihad Rail System will start accepting passengers in 2026 has not yet been announced.

Each freight train replaces up to 300 heavy trucks, reducing road wear and reducing emissions by up to 80% compared to diesel trucks.

Once fully operational, the network could take 375,000 vehicles off the road each year and help the UAE meet its climate goals.

Etihad Rail aims to transport 60 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2030 and reduce CO2 emissions in the UAE’s road transport sector by 21% annually by 2050.