UAE And Oman Take Bold Step Towards Sustainable Freight Transport With New Daily Rail Service Linking Sohar And Abu Dhabi
Published on
October 25, 2025
UAE and Oman are taking a significant leap towards sustainable freight transport with the introduction of a new daily rail service connecting Sohar and Abu Dhabi. This groundbreaking initiative aims to provide an efficient and eco-friendly alternative to road transport, reducing carbon emissions and improving the speed and reliability of cross-border logistics. By offering a high-capacity, cost-effective solution for transporting goods, the new rail link will play a crucial role in enhancing regional trade while supporting both countries’ broader sustainability goals. This move aligns with the growing need for greener transportation options in the Gulf region, ensuring long-term economic and environmental benefits.
A new rail service connecting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman is poised to revolutionize freight transportation in the Gulf region. This initiative, stemming from a groundbreaking agreement between Noatum Logistics, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, and Hafeet Rail, will mark a significant milestone in the development of the region’s first-ever cross-border railway network. This railway service will provide a modern, efficient, and sustainable solution to move goods between these two neighboring nations.
The partnership, solidified during the Global Rail 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, outlines plans for a daily freight service running between Sohar in Oman and Abu Dhabi in the UAE. With this service, Noatum Logistics will operate seven container trains per week, each train carrying up to 276 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units). The projected annual capacity of the service is approximately 193,200 TEUs, allowing for the transport of vast quantities of goods across the border with increased efficiency.
This rail network will be essential for both countries, as it accommodates various container sizes, including 20-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot containers. These specifications make the service versatile and capable of handling a wide range of freight, from manufactured products to food items, pharmaceuticals, agrifoods, and other essential supplies. This flexibility will cater to diverse industries, facilitating the movement of critical goods and ensuring that trade between the UAE and Oman operates smoothly and reliably.
The service is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the regional supply chain. By providing a more efficient and cost-effective method of transporting goods, it will significantly reduce reliance on road transport, cutting down on travel time, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions. This is in line with both nations’ growing commitment to sustainability. The rail service will help meet demand for faster delivery times while reducing logistical costs for businesses and industries operating in both countries. In turn, this will improve overall trade efficiencies and boost economic integration between the UAE and Oman.
With its introduction, the rail service will also address some of the logistical challenges currently faced by businesses in the region. The movement of goods across borders is often hindered by congestion at checkpoints, customs delays, and the inefficiencies of road transport. Railways, however, can alleviate many of these issues, offering a streamlined, direct route between the two countries. By running seven dedicated trains each week, the service will reduce the strain on existing road infrastructure, providing an alternative that can handle large volumes of cargo with greater speed and reliability.
This new rail link will also help foster deeper economic ties between the two Gulf nations. The growing connectivity will strengthen trade flows, benefiting industries that rely on fast, efficient logistics networks, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and retail. As the service gains traction, it will further encourage cross-border collaboration and open up new trade opportunities that were previously difficult to achieve. In addition, the availability of a reliable rail option will make it easier for companies to expand their operations across the region, enhancing business opportunities and attracting new investments from international markets.
The new service also represents a significant leap forward for the region’s transport infrastructure. It is an example of the UAE and Oman’s commitment to investing in modern, cutting-edge technologies to improve trade and transportation. The cross-border railway network will lay the groundwork for future infrastructure projects that will further enhance connectivity throughout the Gulf region, reducing the transportation time for freight even further. It is expected that over time, this initiative will pave the way for similar projects across the Middle East, contributing to the overall advancement of transport networks in the region.
Notably, the implementation of this railway service marks a major shift toward more sustainable transport solutions. In the context of global concerns about climate change, shifting freight transport to rail can significantly reduce carbon emissions. Trains are inherently more energy-efficient compared to trucks, especially when it comes to the transportation of large quantities of goods over long distances. By utilizing this mode of transport, the UAE and Oman are not only improving their own supply chains but also contributing to the broader global efforts to reduce the environmental impact of freight transportation.
Looking ahead, the new rail service will be a game-changer for the region’s economic development. It is a forward-thinking initiative that will make cross-border trade more efficient and sustainable. The service offers a tangible solution to the growing need for faster and more reliable transportation between the UAE and Oman, enhancing the supply chain infrastructure of both nations.
As the region’s first cross-border rail service, this initiative holds immense promise for the future of Gulf trade. With its state-of-the-art capabilities, the project will unlock new opportunities for businesses and individuals alike, making it easier to move goods between the two countries. As the service becomes operational, it will foster greater regional collaboration, setting the stage for even more ambitious infrastructure developments in the years to come.
UAE and Oman are advancing towards sustainable freight transport with the launch of a daily rail service linking Sohar and Abu Dhabi. This new initiative reduces carbon emissions, enhances logistics efficiency, and strengthens regional trade between the two nations.
In conclusion, the launch of this cross-border rail service is an important step in the region’s evolution toward more efficient, sustainable, and integrated logistics solutions. With the UAE and Oman working together on this cutting-edge project, the future of trade and transportation in the Gulf looks brighter than ever.
