It currently takes up to 3h30 by car to cover the 290 km between Abu Dhabi and Sohar, one of Oman's main ports in the north of the country. But this is set to change within the next decade. Oman is going to build a rail network.
Etihad Rail - the developer and operator of the national rail network in the United Arab Emirates - signed the 28 September a cooperation agreement with Oman Rail. The aim is to set up an equally-owned company, the Oman-Etihad Rail Company, to build the future line.
A $3 billion line
This company is going to develop this line of just over 300 km. It will enable the passage of passenger trains travelling at 200 km/h. Goods trains will share the line, travelling at 120 km/h.
The future link will run from Soharthe northern port, will stop after 47 minutes at Al Aïnone of the Emirates, to reach Abu Dhabi55 minutes later. In Abu Dhabi, passengers will be able to connect to the Etihad rail network to Dubai..
The initial investment is estimated at 3 billion. However, the authorities have not confirmed any opening date.
Oman Rail is the new entity responsible for developing the Sultanate's rail network. In its final phase, the rail network will link the north of the country to Muscat and Seeb (Oman's international airport) as well as to the south, notably Salalah.. In total, the Sultanate will benefit from 2,135 km of rail network.
The company was created in 2014 to preside over the destiny of a network that is relatively complex due to the country's geography. According to the original plans, the routes will cross deserts and mountains. The network will comprise some 46 stations planned for the future network. Priority is given to the construction of the line between Sohar and Muscat.
When will the Sohar-Muscat extension be completed?
It is on this section that the greatest uncertainty lies. There is no information on the construction of the line expansion on the Sohar-Muscat route.
As the Sohar-Abu Dhabi line is likely to be completed before this one connecting Sohar to the Omani capital, businessmen who decide to use the high-speed train between Abu Dhabi or Al Aïn to Oman will not have much choice. They will have to more than two hours by road to Muscat from Sohar.
