The United Arab Emirates on Thursday launched the national rail network which connects 4 major ports in the country and 7 logistics regions.
This rail network, one of the largest infrastructure projects in the region, must transport up to 60 million tonnes of goods per year.
A fleet of 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons will be used to transport all types of goods, over approximately 900 kilometers of rails.
The Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who inaugurated the network located in the Al Fayah region, considered it “an important step in the journey development of the United Arab Emirates, and an ambitious project that contributes to strengthening the country’s preparation for the future”, according to the official Emirati agency WAM.
“We are proud of the performance of our sons and daughters who have worked hard over the years to build an ambitious strategic project that will propel our national economy to greater heights,” the ruler of Dubai said.
For his part, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, member of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Etihad Rail, noted that the United Arab Emirates, with the vision and directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan , and the follow-up of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum want to strengthen their union by launching new mega-projects such as the United Arab Emirates National Railway Network, which connects the seven Emirates and accelerates the economic development of the country.
“Emirati talent, with the support of the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, has turned the dream of our founding fathers into reality. Thanks to them, we won the bet, and we managed to launch a rail network with international specifications which extends for approximately 900 kilometers through the Emirates”, declared the president of Etihad Rail.