Muscat – Hafeet Rail, a joint venture between Oman Rail, the UAE’s Etihad Rail and Mubadala Investment Company, has announced the completion of 40% of the Oman–UAE railway project, one of the region’s most significant joint strategic infrastructure, transport and logistics initiatives.

The 238-kilometre project aims to develop a highly efficient and integrated logistics and transport system that supports trade, strengthens supply chain resilience, and contributes to deeper economic integration between Oman and the UAE.

Construction is progressing rapidly at several key locations along the route, including Al Ain, Al Buraimi, Wadi Al Jizzi and Sohar.

The alignment passes through urban and industrial areas, mountainous terrain and deep valleys, requiring specialised engineering solutions. These include extensive earthworks, the construction of major structures such as bridges and tunnels, and integrated flood protection systems to ensure the safe and sustainable operation of the railway.

In a statement to Oman News Agency, Abdulrahman bin Salim Al Hatmi, CEO of Asyad Group, said the pace of implementation reflects the commitment to delivering the project and commencing passenger and freight services as planned.

He added that the progress builds on the foundations laid by the development of Oman’s railway sector since the establishment of Oman Rail, which shaped the initial vision for this strategic corridor. He also expressed pride in the pivotal role played by national talent in delivering various aspects of the project.

Large-scale excavation and backfilling works are currently under way, with 27mn cubic metres of earthworks completed and more than 100,000 cubic metres of concrete poured. This is progressing in parallel with tunnel excavation works on Tunnels 1 and 2, marking significant advancement across key phases of the project.

Engineering structures are also progressing well, with work ongoing on 80 structures, alongside the installation of 900 piles and 130 box culverts. Development is also advancing on key facilities and infrastructure in Sohar and Al Buraimi, supporting the project’s future role in connecting ports, industrial zones and logistics hubs, and enabling cross-border freight movement within an integrated regional system.

Ahmed Al Masawi Al Hashmi, CEO of Hafeet Rail, said the milestone reflects the project’s strong foundations. He added that as the company moves into the next phase, it remains focused on maintaining momentum, strengthening collaboration among partners, and delivering long-term value in line with international standards.

He further noted that the project has achieved 10mn safe work hours without any serious injuries, reflecting the robustness of its safety systems, effective risk management, and a strong safety culture across all work sites.

The railway systems, including control, signalling and communications, comply with the highest international standards, ensuring high levels of safety and interoperability between the Omani and Emirati networks. These systems will help reduce train headways, increase operational capacity, and support greater automation of operations under varying weather conditions.

The Hafeet Rail project also lays the foundation for future passenger services, supporting tourism and business travel, and strengthening social and economic ties between Oman and the United Arab Emirates.