Abu Dhabi’s Noatum Logistics has entered into a preliminary agreement with Hafeet Rail to establish a new rail service between Sohar in Oman and Abu Dhabi in the UAE. This partnership marks a significant step towards launching a dedicated freight rail corridor connecting the two countries. The agreement was formalised at the Global Rail 2025 exhibition held in Abu Dhabi.
New Rail Service Details
Under the terms of the agreement, Noatum Logistics will operate a daily rail service utilising Hafeet Rail’s network once it is completed. The service will feature seven container trains per week, each with a capacity of 276 TEUs, translating to an annual throughput of 193,200 TEUs. The trains will be designed to accommodate 20-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot containers, providing a reliable transport option for a wide range of goods traded between the UAE and Oman.
The goods covered by the service will include general cargo, manufactured products, food items, pharmaceuticals, agrifoods, and other essential supplies, offering a comprehensive transport solution to meet the needs of businesses in both countries.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
This new rail service is set to bring several advantages over traditional road transport. Rail services offer more predictable and cost-efficient transport for large volumes of bulk cargo over medium to long distances. With rail transport also requiring lower fuel consumption than road transport, it will result in significantly reduced carbon emissions per tonne of goods transported.
Samir Chaturvedi, CEO of Noatum Logistics at AD Ports Group, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating: “By linking two of the region’s most strategic hubs via rail for the first time, we are extending the reach of our service and enabling customers to benefit from a mode of transport that is cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable.”
Expanding Regional Rail Network
This agreement builds on the existing rail shuttle service that connects Khalifa Port to Fujairah Terminals, which was launched in the third quarter of 2024. The new rail link between Oman and the UAE will enhance regional trade connectivity and provide a more sustainable alternative for transporting goods between the two countries.
The introduction of this dedicated rail corridor reflects the growing importance of rail as a key mode of transport in the region. With increasing demand for efficient and environmentally friendly logistics solutions, the partnership between Noatum Logistics and Hafeet Rail is expected to strengthen the region’s transportation infrastructure.
For more insights into sustainable innovations shaping the region, explore Global Food Week 2025’s focus on sustainability.
This rail link is also part of broader efforts to modernise the region’s infrastructure and offer enhanced logistics options to businesses across the Gulf. By integrating rail networks with ports and other key transport hubs, both the UAE and Oman aim to further solidify their roles as strategic trade centres in the region.
