Pioneering Rail Cargo Corridor Connecting Abu Dhabi and Sohar Launched through Nawah Logistics and Hafeet Railways Collaboration

Abu Dhabi Ports subsidiary Nautom Logistics signed a preliminary agreement with Hafeet Rail to launch freight rail services between Sohar in Oman and Abu Dhabi in the UAE. This marks the first dedicated rail cargo corridor connecting the two Gulf nations, with plans to handle nearly 200,000 containers annually once operational.

The new service will run seven container trains per week, each capable of carrying 276 standard containers. That adds up to about 193,200 containers per year moving between the countries. The trains will handle containers of different sizes - 20, 40, and 45-foot units - giving shippers flexibility from day one.

The rail link will carry a wide range of goods currently traded between the UAE and Oman. This includes general cargo, manufactured products, food items, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, and other essential materials.

**Economic and operational benefits**

Rail transport offers clear advantages over traditional trucking for medium to long-distance cargo movement. Trains can move massive loads using less fuel per ton, which cuts carbon emissions significantly. For businesses shipping large volumes, rail typically costs less than road transport while being more reliable.

Samir Chaturvedi, CEO of Nautom Logistics, said the partnership expands their logistics network across the Middle East. "By connecting two of the region's most strategic ports via rail for the first time, we're giving our customers access to efficient, low-cost, scalable, and sustainable transport," he explained.

The agreement strengthens supply chain infrastructure in the region and opens new growth opportunities. It also supports deeper economic integration between the UAE and Oman - something both countries have been working toward as part of broader Gulf cooperation initiatives.

**Regional rail expansion**

Ahmed Al Masawy Al Hashemi, CEO of Hafeet Rail, described the deal as a new chapter in developing cross-border rail networks between the two countries. The dedicated rail service aims to make container shipping across the UAE-Oman border more reliable and smooth.

This fits into a larger trend across the Gulf, where countries are investing heavily in rail infrastructure. The UAE has been particularly active, connecting its major ports and industrial areas by rail to reduce logistics costs and support trade growth.

The Sohar-Abu Dhabi service builds on Nautom Logistics' existing rail operations. The company already runs freight trains between Khalifa Port and Fujairah ports, a service that launched in the third quarter of 2024.

**Sustainability focus**

With supply chains under pressure to reduce environmental impact, rail transport is becoming more attractive to shippers. Trains produce far fewer emissions per ton of cargo compared to trucks, helping companies meet sustainability goals without hurting operational performance.

This matters especially for the Gulf region, where governments are pushing hard to diversify economies and reduce carbon footprints. Both the UAE and Oman have committed to net-zero emissions targets, making cleaner transport options a priority for future infrastructure planning.

The rail corridor positions both countries to capture more of the growing trade between Asia and Europe, much of which currently moves through their ports before continuing overland to other destinations.