MUSCAT : The agreement, unveiled at the Global Rail 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, sets the stage for the first dedicated freight corridor between the two Gulf neighbours. Under the deal, Noatum Logistics will operate a daily rail service utilizing Hafeet Rail’s upcoming cross-border network. The service will feature seven container trains per week, each with a capacity of 276 TEUs, translating to an annual throughput of approximately 193,200 TEUs.
The dedicated trains will cater to 20-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot containers, ensuring consistent and reliable capacity from the outset. The service will transport a broad range of goods traded between Oman and the UAE — including general cargo, manufactured products, food items, pharmaceuticals, and agrifoods — enhancing the flow of essential commodities across the region.
Samir Chaturvedi, CEO of Noatum Logistics, emphasized the strategic significance of the partnership, 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.” He added that the initiative would strengthen regional supply chains and foster deeper economic integration between the UAE and Oman.
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Echoing this sentiment, Ahmed Al Musawa Al Hashemi, CEO of Hafeet Rail, said: “This agreement marks a major milestone as we progress with the development of the cross-border railway. With dedicated rail service, we enable reliable, efficient container transport between Oman and the UAE, strengthening trade and driving sustainable growth.”
The Sohar–Abu Dhabi rail link also highlights a shared regional focus on green logistics. Rail freight offers a more predictable, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly alternative to road transport, significantly reducing carbon emissions per tonne of cargo while cutting operational costs.
The new corridor builds upon Noatum’s existing rail shuttle service connecting Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals, launched in 2024.
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