UAE, June 2026 — Construction of the Hafeet Rail project continues to gather pace as the UAE and Oman move forward with one of the Gulf region's most significant cross-border railway developments. The 303-kilometre line will connect the UAE's national rail network with Oman's logistics hubs, forming the first international railway link between the two countries and supporting wider Gulf transport integration.
The railway will connect Abu Dhabi with Sohar via Al Ain, with passenger trains designed to operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h, reducing travel time between Abu Dhabi and Sohar to approximately 100 minutes. Freight services will strengthen links between ports, industrial zones, and logistics centres, enabling more efficient cargo movement while reducing reliance on road transport.
The project forms part of the UAE and Oman's broader economic diversification strategies, supporting industrial development, supply chain resilience, tourism, and cross-border commerce. By improving multimodal connectivity, Hafeet Rail is expected to enhance regional competitiveness and facilitate greater trade between businesses operating across both markets.
Hafeet Rail is being developed through a joint venture between Etihad Rail, Oman Rail, and Mubadala. The project also serves as a foundational segment of the long-envisioned GCC Railway, which aims to connect the six Gulf Cooperation Council member states through an integrated regional rail network. Continued construction reflects renewed momentum behind cross-border railway investment throughout the Gulf.
As construction progresses, Hafeet Rail is expected to become a catalyst for future regional rail expansion, demonstrating how strategic infrastructure investment can improve economic connectivity, strengthen logistics resilience, and encourage greater modal shift toward sustainable rail transport across the Middle East.
Source: Travel Daily Media
UAE and Oman Advance Hafeet Rail Cross-Border Corridor Construction
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Cross-border rail investment is accelerating across the Gulf as governments strengthen regional connectivity and economic integration. The UAE and Oman are progressing construction of the Hafeet Rail project, a strategic railway linking the two countries to support freight movement, passenger mobility, and long-term trade growth.
