Noatum Logistics, part of the AD Ports Group, has signed a preliminary agreement with Hafeet Rail to operate a dedicated freight rail service between Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Sohar in Oman.
The service will utilise Hafeet Rail’s infrastructure once construction is complete and will consist of seven container trains per week. Each train is designed to handle 276 TEUs, translating to an estimated annual capacity of 193,200 TEUs. The agreement covers the allocation of dedicated trains for 20-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot containers.
The planned rail corridor is aimed at transporting a range of goods currently traded between the two countries, including general cargo, food products, pharmaceuticals, agrifoods, and manufactured items.
This arrangement follows the launch of a domestic rail shuttle between Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals in Q3 2024, and adds a cross-border dimension to Noatum Logistics’ regional operations.
The UAE-Oman rail service is expected to offer an alternative to road transport for high-volume cargo movement, with potential benefits including lower carbon emissions and operational cost efficiencies over medium to long distances.
By securing dedicated capacity from the start of operations, the new service aims to provide consistent and reliable freight options, contributing to growing trade flows between Oman and the UAE.
