Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, announced on Wednesday that it has signing a strategic agreement with the Saudi Railway Company (SAR) to establish a framework for the exchange of services, training, and knowledge transfer. 

Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, and Bashar Al Malik, CEO of SAR, signed the strategic agreement during a virtual ceremony attended by officials from both entities, a press statement by the Etihad Rail said. 

The strategic agreement, the statement said will also support identifying future initiatives, such as those in the field of technology and procurement, ensuring training curricula are up-to-date, optimal maintenance times, and other programs that enhance information exchange within the logistics and mobility sector. 

In addition, the agreement facilitates the leasing of locomotives, the exchange of spare parts, as well as the training of engineers and students in operational processes and the further development of competencies in various technical fields. 

Etihad Rail started construction of Stage Two of the UAE’s 1,200-kilometre national railway network in early 2020. The project extends from Al Ghuwaifat on the borders of Saudi Arabia to the emirate of Fujairah, on the eastern coast through Mussafah, Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali Port.  

Stage One, which is fully operational, spans 264 kilometres and transports granulated sulphur from sources at Shah and Habshan to the export point at Ruwais. 

(Writing by Syed Ameen Kader; Editing by Anoop Menon) 

(anoop.menon@refinitiv.com) 

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