Gulf Construction Online - Etihad Rail seals deal to ship building materials

UAE Focus

Etihad Rail and Western Bainoona Group officials at the signing ceremony.

Etihad Rail seals deal to ship building materials

01 September 2021

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s National Rail Network, said it has signed a strategic partnership with Western Bainoona Group.

As per the deal, Etihad Rail will deliver rail freight services for transporting onstruction materials from Western Bainoona Group’s facilities in Fujairah to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The partnership is one of Etihad Rail’s largest commercial partnerships for Stage Two of the UAE’s National Rail Project.

The deal will see a total of 4.5 million tonnes of Western Bainoona Group’s aggregates being transported annually on 643 trains from the group’s facilities in Fujairah to logistics hubs in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) and Dubai Industrial City. Etihad Rail is allocating 70 wagons for each train (around 1 km long), with an approximate capacity of 7,000 tonnes per trip.

Group Chairman Mohammed Khalfan Al Hameli said: “Western Bainoona Group is honoured to become one of Etihad Rail’s partners. We look to leverage the freight solutions provided by the rail network, bolstering and facilitating trade between the emirates. The network will enhance the capacity of companies operating across the UAE. Companies can develop their business by redirecting assets and reducing transportation costs, efficiently utilising their time and resources to become active players in the development of the UAE.”

Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Executive Director of Rail Relations Sector at Etihad Rail, said: “We are pleased to sign one of the largest agreements for Stage Two of UAE National Rail Network, adding Western Bainoona Group to our list of partners. We will be providing fast, smooth, and integrated transport solutions for the company’s products from Fujairah to the logistics hubs in ICAD and Dubai Industrial City, strengthening the group’s business.”

“Etihad Rail delivers cost-effective and time-efficient transport solutions, reducing road traffic in the UAE. In doing so, we protect the environment in reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, we deliver significant benefits for the logistics, infrastructure, and transport sectors across the UAE,” he added.