In a groundbreaking development for regional logistics and cross-border trade, Noatum Logistics, an AD Ports Group company, has partnered with Hafeet Rail to launch a dedicated freight rail service connecting Sohar in Oman to Abu Dhabi in the UAE. This historic collaboration, announced at the Global Rail 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, marks a pivotal step in transforming the movement of goods across the Gulf, setting a new benchmark for efficiency, sustainability, and regional economic integration. The new service promises to operate seven container trains per week, each capable of carrying 276 TEUs, delivering a combined annual throughput of 193,200 TEUs, and offering dedicated capacity for 20-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot containers. From day one, this rail link is designed to ensure reliable and consistent transport for a broad spectrum of goods, including general cargo, manufactured products, pharmaceuticals, food items, agrifood, and other essential supplies.
Samir Chaturvedi, CEO of Noatum Logistics, emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, stating that connecting two of the region’s most vital economic hubs via rail will expand logistics reach, optimize supply chains, and offer a more cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable alternative to road transport. By reducing fuel consumption and emissions, the project aligns with broader sustainability goals while maintaining high operational efficiency. Ahmed Al Musawa Al Hashemi, CEO of Hafeet Rail, echoed this sentiment, highlighting how dedicated rail services will foster trade reliability, accelerate cross-border commerce, and stimulate economic collaboration between the UAE and Oman.
Beyond operational benefits, the rail service represents a transformative addition to the region’s logistics ecosystem, enhancing supply chain predictability, unlocking investment opportunities, and supporting economic integration between the two nations. As the service builds on existing rail connections, including the Khalifa Port to Fujairah shuttle launched in 2024, it exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to infrastructure-led growth. By combining cutting-edge rail technology, sustainable practices, and strategic partnerships, Noatum Logistics and Hafeet Rail are not only moving goods—they are driving the future of regional trade, reinforcing economic ties, and setting a new global example for integrated, climate-conscious logistics solutions.