Historic Test Ride On Etihad Rail Links Abu Dhabi And Dubai

Major General Staff Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, recently embarked on a significant journey aboard Etihad Rail’s prototype passenger train. This event marked a pivotal moment as it showcased the progress and achievements of the UAE National Railway Network. The journey, which started from Al Faya, the main operations and maintenance facility of Etihad Rail, to Al Qudra in Dubai, was not just a mere trip but a testament to the strides made in the transportation sector of the UAE.

The delegation from the Ministry of Defence, led by Sheikh Ahmed, was warmly welcomed upon their arrival at the depot by Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, alongside several senior company officials. This visit was crucial as it provided an opportunity for the delegation to review the freight train operations' progress and understand the company's significant milestones since its inauguration.

During their journey, the delegation was briefed by Emirati cadres at Etihad Rail about the most important developments since the network's inauguration and the commencement of freight operations in February 2023. A remarkable achievement highlighted was the transportation of over 7.4 million tonnes of sulfur and more than 2.4 million tonnes of aggregates across the UAE. These figures not only demonstrate Etihad Rail’s operational success but also its substantial contribution to the nation’s economy and sustainable development goals.

Etihad Rail plays a crucial role in enhancing the UAE’s transportation and logistics sector. Its efforts are aligned with the directives of the country's wise leadership and under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail. The company's contributions are instrumental in supporting the realization of Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and UAE Centennial Plan 2071.

The visit also included a comprehensive tour of the operations and maintenance facility, which is deemed the most critical within the National Railway Network. The delegation received detailed insights into how operations across the entire network are overseen and monitored from the control centre. This aspect of their visit underscored Etihad Rail's commitment to maintaining high standards of efficiency and safety across its operations.

Etihad Rail’s advancements since its inception reflect a significant leap forward in realizing a robust transportation infrastructure that supports economic growth and sustainable development within the UAE. The journey undertaken by Major General Staff Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan and his delegation underscores the importance of continuous progress in this vital sector.

With inputs from WAM