Etihad Rail has taken delivery of the first two locomotives for the UAE’s inaugural rail network.
The first of seven EMD-built vehicles arrived at Mussafah Port, Abu Dhabi, yesterday (April 10) and along with the wagons delivered in December last year, will make up the UAE’s first trains.
The locomotives will be moved to Etihad Rail’s site at Mirfa in the Western Region in preparation for the impending launch of Stage One, which will facilitate the transport of granulated sulphur from sources in Shah and Habshan to the port of Ruwais for export.
Dr Nasser Al Mansoori, chief executive of Etihad Rail, said: “The arrival of these locomotives is a remarkable step forward and another indicator that we are fast approaching the commencement of operations for stage one.
“The project is progressing on schedule and we are on track to see the first train run between Habshan and Ruwais by the end of this year.
The proposed Etihad Rail network will extend 1,200 km across the Emirates, connecting to the wider GCC network between the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
