Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, Oct 25: In a landmark step toward regional connectivity and sustainable logistics, Noatum Logistics, part of the AD Ports Group, has signed a preliminary agreement with Hafeet Rail, the developer of the first cross-border railway network between the UAE and Oman, to launch a dedicated rail freight service connecting Abu Dhabi and Sohar.

The deal, signed during the Global Rail 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, will see Noatum Logistics operate a daily freight service using Hafeet Rail’s upcoming cross-border network — marking the first-ever direct rail link between the two Gulf neighbours.

Under the plan, the service will run seven container trains per week, each carrying 276 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), amounting to an annual capacity of around 193,200 TEUs. The corridor will facilitate the movement of general cargo, food products, pharmaceuticals, and industrial goods between the two countries.

Samir Chaturvedi, CEO of Noatum Logistics, said the partnership connects “two of the region’s most strategic hubs via rail for the first time,” calling it a cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable transport solution that will strengthen supply chains and open new trade opportunities.

Ahmed Al Musawa Al Hashemi, CEO of Hafeet Rail, described the collaboration as a milestone that would drive sustainable growth and transform cross-border logistics across the region.

Officials noted that rail freight offers a greener alternative to road transport, consuming less fuel and producing lower carbon emissions per tonne of cargo. The initiative supports both countries’ goals of reducing environmental impact while enhancing economic integration.

The Sohar–Abu Dhabi link builds upon Noatum’s existing rail operations, including the Khalifa Port–Fujairah shuttle service, and is expected to become a key trade artery for the Arabian Peninsula — setting new benchmarks in efficiency, sustainability, and regional cooperation.