The second stage of the UAE’s national rail network is 34 percent complete, after construction works commenced in January 2020, its developer and operator, Etihad Rail, said. 

Stage Two is divided into four packages - A, B, C & D - and extends from Al Ghuweifat on the UAE’s border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah in the eastern coast.

Package A will cover 139 kms from Ruwais in Abu Dhabi to Al Ghuweifat on the UAE-Saudi Arabia border. Packages B & C will link Khalifa Port, Khalifa Industrial City (Kizad) and Jebel Ali Port and will end in Sharjah. Package B is a 216 km stretch from Tarif to Saih Shuaib and the 94 km Package C will link Jebel Ali to Sharjah. Package D will run from Sharjah to Fujairah and Ras al-Khaimah for 132 km.

Etihad Rail and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure have signed an agreement to collaborate on the issuance of safety permits for Stage Two.

Under the agreement, the Ministry and Etihad Rail have established a safety authorisation issuance mechanism to fully audit safety permits. Etihad Rail will apply to the Ministry for permits of various types, and permits will be issued once safety files have been audited and a report has been issued by an Independent Safety Assessor.

Additionally, Etihad Rail will prepare contractors’ safety assurance documents before submission to the Ministry for approval and accreditation.

(Writing by Anoop Menon; Editing by Seban Scaria)

(anoop.menon@refinitiv.com)

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

© ZAWYA 2021