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Abu Dhabi, UAE: Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE's national railway, has announced that more than two million tonnes of Sulphur have been transported from Shah and Habshan to the port of in the past 12 months during testing and commissioning and now trial operations on Stage One of the network.
Since the completion of the 264km route last year, trials are now running on a daily basis, conducted by Etihad Rail's operating partner, ERDB. Full commercial operations are expected to start shortly once Etihad Rail is granted its regulatory approvals, meaning the volume of Sulphur transported by rail will increase significantly in 2016 and beyond.
Today's announcement offers an insight into the significant economic and environmental benefits that the federal railway network will bring to the UAE, with Etihad Rail's trains having already replaced more than 66,000 truck trips from the roads in the western region of Abu Dhabi in the past 12 months.
Commenting on the news, Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO of Etihad Rail, said: "Transporting more than 2 million tonnes of sulphur in the past year during our testing and commissioning and trial operations phases is a very proud achievement for Etihad Rail, our operating partner, ERDB, and the UAE as a whole, as it clearly demonstrates Etihad Rail's unique value proposition as a reliable, safe and environmentally friendly mode of transport.
"Our success to date would not have been possible without the tremendous support of our customer and partner, ADNOC.
"Going forward, we will continue to build on this success as we move towards our target of transporting more than seven million tonnes of sulphur every year once we enter into full commercial operations."
Today, the Etihad Rail fleet comprises seven locomotives and 240 hopper wagons and operates to transport granulated sulphur from two plants in Shah and Habshan in the Western region of Abu Dhabi to the sulphur handling terminal at Ruwais Port.
The Etihad Rail project is being delivered in three key stages of development. It will be used to transport bulk and non-bulk materials, offering tailor-made solutions to differing customer needs. Network routes have been designed to accommodate all key customer sectors, with freight facilities positioned to connect production hubs with points of import and export.
Upon completion, the network will span approximately 1,200 kilometres across the UAE, connecting urban and peripheral communities, facilitating trade, opening up communication channels and fostering economic development. Etihad Rail will also form a vital part of the GCC Railway Network, linking the UAE to Saudi Arabia through Ghweifat in the west and Oman through Al Ain in the east.
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About Etihad Rail (www.etihadrail.ae)
Etihad Rail was established in June 2009 under Federal Law no. 2, with a mandate to manage the development, construction and operation of the UAE's national freight and passenger railway network. Being built in three stages, the railway network will link the principal centres of population and industry of the UAE, and will form a vital part of the planned GCC railway network across the six countries of the GCC.
Construction on Stage One has been completed, with services between Habshan and Ruwais already operational on a testing basis since September 2013. Stage Two will connect the railway to Mussafah, Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali port and will see the railway extend to the Saudi and Omani borders.
Etihad Rail has recently signed an Operational & Maintenance Agreement with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for the transport of sulphur between Habshan and Shah to Ruwais. Etihad Rail is also in advanced commercial and technical negotiations with other prospective partners, including DP World, ESI, Arkan, and others.
To date, Etihad Rail has signed more than 54 Memorandums of Understanding with a number of customers throughout the Emirates - in industries ranging from petrochemicals and agriculture to aggregates and waste - all of whom recognise rail as the preferred mode of transport for their goods.
Built to international standards, Etihad Rail's state-of-the-art network will span approximately 1,200 km, acting as a catalyst for economic growth and sustained social development. Upon completion, the railway will redefine logistics and transport in the region, providing a modern, safe, efficient and sustainable mode of transport that will connect all regions of the UAE to its neighboring GCC countries.
Media Contact:
Etihad Rail Communications team/
Tel: +971 2 4999 712
Email: communications@etihadrail.ae
Website: www.etihadrail.ae
© Press Release 2015
