![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JRSNSH75INHCPDMITADSZPGHVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=db5e32bde5dec44afd0e787b5bda38532e8b7d0bfdd292590ae25b1417c6510e&width=400&height=225)
The project also aims to reduce carbon emissions from the road transport sector by 21 per cent by 2050, boosting the country's efforts to become net zero
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B6JNO45FPBFLXDFFYNYM2OM2UY.jpg?smart=true&auth=59e1ba7ca5c4c3db4f13a2918b89bb0b7a1f2c6589548f6e9ba499d4a46d1372&width=400&height=225)
Etihad Rail's freight network is now operational. It can transport 60 million tonnes of goods a year. All photos: Etihad Rail
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SHGG43XU4ZGVLNY5ESPH6TZN5E.jpg?smart=true&auth=86cbfce68e1f1e6fc49840f13997ac11fd5e146e356e1d66db96c16dee4f4b2d&width=400&height=225)
The new freight service has 38 locomotives
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SZZ2NUHIHJH67HXTHMGSB23OZQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=359262a332d614db6d8be169574466650cc421dcb586929eb5f31c77dab534d8&width=400&height=225)
The freight trains will run up to 120kph, with each locomotive operating at 4,500 horsepower
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RUID76O5QVHJZD3NYKLXCRYKMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=863eef3673709444e1a7135cb14f081efb222a8b9c2078746d66bc3daa630162&width=400&height=225)
The locomotives pull a total of 1,000 wagons, transporting goods ranging from shipping containers to industrial material
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6BG6QLJLVNGDDI6DYQF362GREA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b5610e6315b0bcf2376bf2cd04b58cc75c1255bed020ae7a5bfbef3079f1966&width=400&height=225)
The tracks cross the UAE and feature 593 bridges
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6XMAK3PXYFGB3J4VJMWNC3YBSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c919b6fa0594abdeb398c4a1ccf6476e94e2b8c596dccd94ad1ebb61d8b3f21b&width=400&height=225)
The network will contribute Dh200 billion ($54.4 billion) to the UAE economy and save Dh8 billion in road maintenance costs
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JRSNSH75INHCPDMITADSZPGHVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=db5e32bde5dec44afd0e787b5bda38532e8b7d0bfdd292590ae25b1417c6510e&width=400&height=225)
The project also aims to reduce carbon emissions from the road transport sector by 21 per cent by 2050, boosting the country's efforts to become net zero
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B6JNO45FPBFLXDFFYNYM2OM2UY.jpg?smart=true&auth=59e1ba7ca5c4c3db4f13a2918b89bb0b7a1f2c6589548f6e9ba499d4a46d1372&width=400&height=225)
Etihad Rail's freight network is now operational. It can transport 60 million tonnes of goods a year. All photos: Etihad Rail
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SHGG43XU4ZGVLNY5ESPH6TZN5E.jpg?smart=true&auth=86cbfce68e1f1e6fc49840f13997ac11fd5e146e356e1d66db96c16dee4f4b2d&width=400&height=225)
The new freight service has 38 locomotives
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SZZ2NUHIHJH67HXTHMGSB23OZQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=359262a332d614db6d8be169574466650cc421dcb586929eb5f31c77dab534d8&width=400&height=225)
The freight trains will run up to 120kph, with each locomotive operating at 4,500 horsepower
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RUID76O5QVHJZD3NYKLXCRYKMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=863eef3673709444e1a7135cb14f081efb222a8b9c2078746d66bc3daa630162&width=400&height=225)
The locomotives pull a total of 1,000 wagons, transporting goods ranging from shipping containers to industrial material
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6BG6QLJLVNGDDI6DYQF362GREA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b5610e6315b0bcf2376bf2cd04b58cc75c1255bed020ae7a5bfbef3079f1966&width=400&height=225)
The tracks cross the UAE and feature 593 bridges
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6XMAK3PXYFGB3J4VJMWNC3YBSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c919b6fa0594abdeb398c4a1ccf6476e94e2b8c596dccd94ad1ebb61d8b3f21b&width=400&height=225)
The network will contribute Dh200 billion ($54.4 billion) to the UAE economy and save Dh8 billion in road maintenance costs
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JRSNSH75INHCPDMITADSZPGHVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=db5e32bde5dec44afd0e787b5bda38532e8b7d0bfdd292590ae25b1417c6510e&width=400&height=225)
The project also aims to reduce carbon emissions from the road transport sector by 21 per cent by 2050, boosting the country's efforts to become net zero
In numbers: Etihad Rail's new freight route
The network has a fleet of 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons
![The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9e2159fa-e4db-4215-b498-6b3607b75bee.png?smart=true&auth=cf728de2f2d93afc214682199f23d53c844677eb59567fe99abdb1c7e9f03161&width=70&height=70)
The National
24 February, 2023
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