logo
Hafeet Rail project moving at steady pace

Hafeet Rail project moving at steady pace

Observer04-05-2025
Muscat: Work is progressing well on the rail project linking the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the company said.
The Oman-UAE project continues to advance steadily as Hafeet Rail deploys heavy machinery and crews across the corridor to accelerate regional rail connectivity between the two Gulf nations, an online statement said.
The railway network will connect five ports and industrial zones in the two countries. Each train journey across the network is expected to transport more than 15,000 tonnes of goods, equivalent to about 270 standard containers.
The journey time between Abu Dhabi and Suhar will be reduced to 100 minutes, with freight trains reaching a maximum speed of 120 km/h.
Passenger trains will reach up to 200 km/h, accommodating up to 400 passengers per train. The railway will stretch over 238 kilometers and will include 60 bridges and tunnels covering a distance of 2.5 kilometers.
Connecting Sohar Port to the UAE railway network will create a vital trade artery between the two countries, enhancing the region's status as a hub for transport and logistics services.
The project includes the construction of 60 bridges, some towering up to 34 meters in height, and tunnels stretching 2.5 kilometers.
The project is the first-of-its-kind railway network that links two Gulf nations and presents a seismic shift in goods transportation methods across the region, as it can handle substantial cargo volumes.
This efficient transportation option reduces dependency on road transport, which is often slower and less sustainable than rail, and promises a 40 percent reduction in shipping costs and a 50 percent reduction in transit times compared to traditional land transportation methods
By linking major ports along the route, the Hafeet Rail project offers local SMEs to import, export, and distribute their products, amplifying their market reach and competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Padel meets peaks: International players compete in Jabal Akhdar tournament as dusitD2 Naseem champions sports tourism
Padel meets peaks: International players compete in Jabal Akhdar tournament as dusitD2 Naseem champions sports tourism

Times of Oman

time8 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

Padel meets peaks: International players compete in Jabal Akhdar tournament as dusitD2 Naseem champions sports tourism

Jabal Akhdar: Top padel players from across Oman and abroad converged at the scenic heights of Jabal Akhdar on Friday to compete in an exhilarating tournament hosted by dusitD2 Naseem Resort. More than just a sporting event, the tournament served as a dynamic initiative to blend tourism with athletic excellence, drawing both sports enthusiasts and inhouse guests to the mountainside venue. The event is part of a broader vision set by the resort to transform itself into a leading integrated tourism destination in Oman. 'Our vision is to evolve into a truly integrated resort,' said Jagdeep Thakral, General Manager of dusitD2 Naseem. 'Initially, we were known as a family resort. But with the growth in corporate retreats, school group visits, and now competitive sporting events, we are repositioning ourselves as a destination that offers it all.' According to Thakral, the resort's integrated complex is built on five core pillars. 'First is adventure. We've developed the Sultanate's only full-fledged adventure park. Adding to it we have mountain biking trails, and scooters to bring adrenaline to the mountains,' he said. The resort's top official added: 'The second is sport. Our padel and volleyball courts are unmatched in the area, giving us an edge in hosting tournaments and sports events.' Thakral then pointed out to the third pillar- culture. 'The resort offers an immersive Arabic experience through traditional cuisine such as Zarb, live Arabic music featuring the oud, and upcoming Tanoura dance performances to captivate guests,' he said. The general manager said that 'sustainability and nature' is the fourth pillar. 'As part of its green initiative, the resort has planted 400–500 rose bushes, 200 olive trees, and other flora to create a vibrant natural landscape,' he added. And the last pillar is 'shopping and lifestyle'. Thakral said that 'plans are underway to establish a local-style souq (market), bringing authentic shopping experiences directly to visitors.' 'The first padel tournament is a direct extension of this vision. No other mountain destination in Oman offers such a holistic experience under one roof,' he said. Looking ahead, dusitD2 Naseem is set to launch a series of high-adrenaline adventure events, including the Mountain Man Challenge, the Celebrity Challenge, and the Jabal Akhdar Challenge, among others.

Khareef Dhofar features international shows, interactive experiences
Khareef Dhofar features international shows, interactive experiences

Times of Oman

time8 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

Khareef Dhofar features international shows, interactive experiences

Salalah: The Dhofar Municipality is organising a variety of events for the Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) Season 2025, offering a comprehensive experience that blends culture, entertainment, and innovation. The season features international shows, some of which are being presented for the first time in Oman and globally. The various event locations are attracting a large number of visitors due to their diverse and engaging content. Ammar Oubaid Gawas, Director of Events and Awareness at the Dhofar Municipality, stated that the Attin Square is a centerpiece of this season's events. It hosts one of the world's largest inflatable play cities, a stage with the latest sound and lighting technology, eco-friendly fireworks, drone shows, and folklore performances from 18 countries. It also features diverse markets for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local products from Omani entrepreneurs. He added that the Attin Plain's Modern Waterfront provides a complete family entertainment destination, including a walkway, a children's area, a princesses' palace, and a variety of restaurants and food trucks. It also hosts the "Awdah" event, which simulates traditional Omani life with shows of traditional arts, heritage markets, and handicrafts that preserve the national heritage. Gawas explained that Awqad Park, branded as "Children's Time," is dedicated to providing innovative educational and recreational activities for children in a safe environment. Meanwhile, Salalah Park, or the "Healthy Park," hosts sports paths and challenges suitable for all ages, encouraging an active and balanced lifestyle. Gawas also noted that the season includes multiple accompanying events such as "Awsara," "Avicenna," and "Al Gharf," as well as the Frankincense Market and Al Haffa Beach Market. Activities are also being held in the wilayats of Taqa, Mirbat, and Sadah. The season is also hosting major international sporting events, including the Salalah International Cycling Tour, the Dhofar International Sand Drag Race Championship, and a traditional weapons shooting competition. He affirmed that the Dhofar Municipality has been keen on highlighting Omani identity at all event locations, with more than a thousand national projects for productive families and entrepreneurs. He stressed that the operation and organization of the events have been fully assigned to Omani companies, a step that reflects support for national projects and youth ideas and makes the season a true platform for sustainable development.

Bank Muscat Al Tharwa Fund announces first interim dividend distribution for unitholders
Bank Muscat Al Tharwa Fund announces first interim dividend distribution for unitholders

Times of Oman

time9 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

Bank Muscat Al Tharwa Fund announces first interim dividend distribution for unitholders

Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate of Oman, announces that the Fund Management Body of Bank Muscat Al Tharwa Fund has approved the first interim dividend distribution of 1% to the Fund's unitholders within less than one year of commencement of operations. The record date for the dividend distribution is 19th August, 2025 and investors will have the choice to receive their dividend proceeds in cash or reinvest in Al Tharwa Fund at the ex-dividend date Net Asset Value (NAV) per unit of August 19, 2025. Bank Muscat Al Tharwa Fund was launched in September 2024 as an open-ended fund regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the Sultanate. The Fund is the first of its kind in Oman providing a unique combination of growth and income to investors by actively investing in two key asset classes i.e. equity and fixed income. The allocation to these asset classes is dynamically managed by Bank Muscat's experienced asset management team, based on prevailing market conditions and objectives of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund aims to provide regular dividend distributions along with capital appreciation to unitholders over the medium to long term. Al Tharwa Fund provides an opportunity to invest in both equity and fixed income securities across local, regional and international markets. The Fund offers daily liquidity with no minimum holding period. Investors can subscribe to the Fund with a minimum subscription amount of OMR 50 and there is no maximum limit for investment. The subscription and redemption from the Fund are available through Bank Muscat's Internet Banking and Mobile Banking platforms for the Bank's individual customers. Corporates and government institutions may approach their relationship managers at Bank Muscat for mutual fund investments. Alternatively, interested customers may contact the relevant team at Bank Muscat through [email protected] and understand the process to subscribe into the Fund. Please refer to the Prospectus of Bank Muscat Al Tharwa Fund available on to understand the Fund's details including key terms and conditions as well as the main risk factors. Bank Muscat's Asset Management business has a proven track record of successful operations for almost 30 years and is the largest asset manager in the country and one of the leading asset managers in the GCC region, with approximately $3.6 billion of AUM. It offers tailored investment solutions across asset classes including equity, fixed income and real estate investments.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store