The Union Train project is one of the most important mega projects that the UAE has witnessed in recent years.
As it is considered a fundamental pillar in the development and improvement of the transportation infrastructure in the country, and the opening of project packages for the national railway network does not stop with the support of our wise leadership, in the “Al Faya” region in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the network constitutes an ambitious development project that connects the seven Emirates with one railway network, which is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the region.
The project also promotes the UAE’s goals for sustainable development and contributes to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, as it will contribute to reducing carbon emissions by 21% in the country’s land transport sector, and reducing land transport emissions per capita by 40%, by 2050.
Improve the logistics infrastructure
The importance of this giant national project lies in its positive impact on the UAE economy and the promotion of sustainability, especially with regard to improving the country’s logistical infrastructure. Thanks to this modern railway system, passengers and goods can be transported efficiently and at high speed, which saves costs and time.
Thus, it supports the internal and external trade of the country, and the Union Train project contributes to increasing the country’s tourism revenues, as it gives tourists the opportunity to explore the various cities of the country easily and comfortably.
economic returns
In addition, the national railway network contributes to supporting companies’ businesses and enhancing their investment opportunities, as the seven emirates of the country link each other from “Al Ghuwaifat” at the border with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Fujairah, to form an essential part of the global supply network. The first phase of the project has been completed. The network and the start of its commercial operations in late 2016, and the construction work of the second phase of the project began in early 2020.
Tourism returns
The UAE national railway network also establishes the strength of the union for the next fifty years by supporting the national economy with a value of 200 billion dirhams, and it will save 8 billion dirhams in the cost of road maintenance, and its tourism benefits are estimated at about 23 billion dirhams. The project has actually contributed to supporting the local industry through Assigning 215 companies and local destinations.
Also, 70% of the building materials used in the project are produced by the local industry. The project also contributed to supporting the Emiratisation agenda and graduating qualified cadres to work in the sector and include specific specializations.
Diverse terrain
The UAE national railway network passes through a variety of geographical terrains, within a large-scale engineering scheme that included the construction of 593 bridges and crossings of all types, and 9 tunnels with a length of 6.5 kilometers. Achieving the highest levels of smoothness of vehicular traffic under the tracks of the railway network.
cargo train
The fleet of the newest cargo train in the region includes 38 locomotives with a capacity of 60 million tons of goods annually, and more than 1,000 multi-purpose vehicles. Equivalent to 3400 kilowatts, and it is one of the most powerful freight train engines in the Middle East.
vital element
Mohammed Musabah Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce, stressed that the new national railway network contributes to improving the efficiency of logistics networks and continuing to diversify the country’s economy, especially during the next fifty years, and meeting the current and future needs of industrial companies, shipping, building materials and quarries.
Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Director General of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah, confirmed that the Union train represents a national project that supports comprehensive economic development and enhances the gross domestic product, as their role extends to encouraging major international companies and factories to be present within the business environment in the UAE.
aspirations
Youssef Mohamed Ismail, Chairman of the Supreme Committee of the Saud bin Saqr Foundation for Youth Enterprise Development in Ras Al Khaimah, said: The national railway network is the latest huge transportation, freight and logistics project in the Gulf region, which will certainly reflect positively on all sectors and industries.
Rami Jallad, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zones Group (RAKEZ), confirmed that the Union train network will constitute a major quantum leap in advancing development, upgrading the business sector and supporting attracting new capital and international companies.