Etihad Rail has signed an agreement for the manufacturing and supplying of passenger trains valued at USD$326.7 million, while also confirming the progress of works on the final package of Stage Two of the UAE National Rail Network.
Under the terms of the agreement, Spanish firm CAF will design, manufacture, supply, and provide maintenance for passenger trains as per European standards.
Each train will have a seating capacity of over 400 passengers, and will run up to 200 km/h. The trains, which will offer a variety of seating segments, will serve as a major addition to the public transport system in the UAE.
The announcement came following an inspection tour by HH Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Chairman of Etihad Rail, who visited the final package of Stage Two of the UAE National Rail Network, which extends for 145 kilometres from Sharjah to Fujairah Port and Ras Al Khaimah, to review the progress of rail construction works in these emirates.
Accompanied by HE Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, HH witnessed the signing of an agreement between Etihad Rail and Spain’s CAF Company – a world leader in the railway sector, for designing, manufacturing, supplying, and maintaining passenger trains for the Etihad Rail project valued at $326.7 million.
The agreement, which emerged as a result of Etihad Rail’s success at the Middle East Rail 2022, was signed by His Excellency Shadi Malak, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail, and Josu Imaz, Chief Executive Officer Rolling Stock of CAF, in the presence of His Excellency Iñigo de Palacio, Ambassador of Spain to the UAE, and officials from both sides.
The agreement was signed in Sakamkam area, where the first passenger train station will be built in the heart of Fujairah city.