Abu Dhabi: Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Transworld Logistics, a shipping and logistics company.

The agreement aims to provide Transworld Logistics — part of the UAE-based global conglomerate Transworld Group — with a new and economical mode of transport and help deliver a reliable, high volume service across rail and shipping networks.

The MoU was signed by Faris Saif Al Mazroui, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail, and Mannan Balasubramanian, General Manager of Transworld Logistics.

“This agreement cements an important relationship between our two companies,” said Al Mazroui. “In addition to their warehousing and logistics offerings, the Transworld Group also represents other organisations alongside Transworld Logistics — these are Orient Express Lines and Balaji Shipping Lines. The collaboration between Etihad Rail and Transworld Logistics highlights the importance of rail as a vital component of multi-modal transport in the Middle East.”

The Etihad Rail network will span approximately 1,200 kilometres across the UAE, providing both freight and passenger services. It will connect urban and peripheral communities, facilitate trade, open up communication channels and foster economic development across all Emirates in the UAE. The network will also form a vital part of the GCC Railway Network, linking the UAE to Saudi Arabia through Ghweifat in the west and Oman through Al Ain in the east.