A landmark preliminary agreement was signed on Friday to establish the first cross-border freight rail service connecting the UAE and Oman. The new route, operated by AD Ports Group’s Noatum Logistics on the Hafeet Rail network, will link Abu Dhabi with Sohar, aiming to enhance trade and create a more sustainable logistics corridor.
Noatum Logistics, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, has formalised a preliminary agreement with Hafeet Rail to launch a dedicated freight train service between the UAE and Oman. The signing took place at the Global Rail 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant step towards bolstering economic integration between the two nations.
Under the terms of the agreement, Noatum Logistics will operate seven container trains per week, each with a capacity of 276 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). This amounts to a substantial annual throughput of 193,200 TEUs. The service will accommodate 20-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot containers, transporting a wide range of goods, including general cargo, manufactured products, food, pharmaceuticals, and other essential supplies.
Samir Chaturvedi, CEO of Noatum Logistics, highlighted the strategic importance of the new link.
“By linking two of the region’s most strategic hubs via rail for the first time, we are extending the reach of our service and enabling customers to benefit from a mode of transport that is cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable. Beyond its operational impact, our agreement would reinforce regional supply chains, unlock new opportunities, and support the economic integration of the UAE and Oman through infrastructure-led collaboration.”
The rail network is being developed and operated by Hafeet Rail. Ahmed Al Musawa Al Hashemi, CEO of Hafeet Rail, stated, “This agreement with Noatum Logistics marks a new major milestone as we are progressing with the development of the cross-border railway between the two nations. With dedicated rail service, we enable reliable, efficient cross-border container transport between Oman and the UAE, strengthening trade and driving sustainable growth.”
The introduction of the rail freight service offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional road transport. Rail is recognized for its ability to move large volumes of cargo with significantly lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions per tonne. This aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainability within regional and global supply chains.
The new service builds on Noatum Logistics’ existing rail operations, including a shuttle service connecting Khalifa Port to Fujairah Terminals, which was launched in the third quarter of 2024.
