UAE Oman Train Service Announced | A New Era for Gulf Rail Connectivity
UAE Oman Train Service: In a major infrastructure breakthrough, the UAE Oman train service was officially announced in October 2025, signalling the dawn of a new chapter in cross-border transport connectivity between the two Gulf nations. The announcement, made at the Global Rail 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, revealed an agreement between Noatum Logistics (an AD Ports Group company) and Hafeet Rail (the developer of the UAE-Oman rail corridor) to establish dedicated freight train operations between Sohar in Oman and Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
Under the deal, the UAE Oman train service will run seven container trains per week, each capable of carrying 276 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), amounting to an annual throughput of approximately 193,200 TEUs in its first operational phase. The service will cater to goods such as manufactured products, food items, pharmaceuticals and other essential cargo. This new rail link underscores the strategic aim of enhancing trade, logistics efficiency and sustainability across the Gulf region.
What the UAE Oman Train Service Means for Regional Trade
The introduction of the UAE Oman train service is poised to transform how goods move between the two countries and beyond. Historically reliant on road and sea routes, freight transport can now leverage this rail corridor for more predictable, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly logistics. According to executives at Noatum Logistics, the rail link allows customers to benefit from a mode of transport that is “cost-effective, scalable and sustainable.”
By shifting large volumes of cargo from roads to rail, the UAE Oman train service is expected to reduce carbon emissions, ease road congestion and improve transport reliability. With the cargo route connecting at Sohar Port in Oman and Abu Dhabi’s freight network, the corridor will serve as a vital artery for regional supply chains and bilateral trade growth.
Infrastructure & Future Growth of the Rail Network
The UAE Oman train service announcement is part of the wider project managed by Hafeet Rail, which aims to build a 238-kilometre cross-border rail link connecting Sohar and Al Ain to Abu Dhabi. The network is still under development, and the freight service marks the first operational step in what is expected to become a full rail corridor for both freight and, potentially, passengers in the future.
With construction phases advancing and major contracts awarded, the rail link is aligning with both the UAE’s and Oman’s strategic transport visions. As one report notes, once completed, the network will encompass multiple industrial zones and ports, boosting regional connectivity.
Strategic Impact and Why It Matters
For the UAE, the UAE Oman train service enhances its role as a logistics and trade hub, bridging continental and regional corridors. For Oman, the rail link offers easier access to Gulf markets and a strengthened export channel. Together, both countries benefit from infrastructure that supports large-scale industrial supply chains, manufacturing exports and sustainable freight logistics.
Moreover, the rail service aligns with global sustainability goals by offering a greener alternative to long-haul trucking, reducing fuel consumption, emissions and road wear. The operational efficiencies it introduces will lower transport costs, improve consistency and enhance competitiveness for exporters across both nations.
What to Expect Next
As the UAE Oman train service moves from agreement to actual operations, the first phase will focus on the freight corridor, with dedicated container trains running weekly. Over time, this may expand into higher frequency services, integrated rail-port logistics and eventually passenger rail connectivity. Officials suggest this is a “new major milestone” for regional infrastructure.
Travel time, capacity and service schedules will evolve. Full deployment of the rail infrastructure may open opportunities for broader Gulf cooperation linking not just the UAE and Oman, but potentially forming part of a wider GCC rail network in the future.
Official Sources
Hafeet Rail – Official website for the UAE–Oman rail network
Etihad Rail – UAE’s National Rail Project site
Conclusion
The announcement of the UAE Oman train service is a major development that signals both nations’ commitment to advanced infrastructure, trade integration and sustainable logistics. With container trains set to run between Sohar and Abu Dhabi, the corridor promises to reshape regional freight, boost economic connectivity and lay the groundwork for the next phase of rail mobility in the Gulf.
As the rail project develops, businesses, logistics professionals and regional policymakers will be watching keenly—this is more than a rail line; it’s a corridor of possibility, connecting economies, boosting trade and preparing the region for a smarter and more integrated future.
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