Watch: Etihad Rail marks UAE's first passenger train journey between Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah

Etihad Rail operated its first rail journey that connects the cities of Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah on Thursday.

Once operational, the rail service which is currently under development, will enable ADNOC’s staff and contractors to travel between the two destinations.

This momentous trip was taken by Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Managing Director and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), and members of Adnoc's Executive Leadership team.

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Following the milestone journey, Dr Al Jaber took a tour of Adnoc’s downstream and petrochemicals hub in Al Ruwais Industrial City. During the tour, he was updated on strategic growth projects at Borouge 4, Adnoc Refining and the Ruwais LNG project.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “Adnoc's partnership with Etihad Rail is fully aligned with our strategic priorities to successfully implement transport solutions that contribute to the UAE’s development and future prosperity. In line with our leadership’s visionary directives and under the supervision of Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, the development of passenger rail services between Abu Dhabi City and Al Dhannah City aims to connect the UAE’s main centres of trade, industry, manufacturing, production, logistics and population."

"The Etihad Rail project is more than just a rail network. It will serve as a vital artery for economic growth and infrastructure development while driving decarbonisation, for the benefit of the UAE and its people."

“I am proud of our world-class facilities in Al Ruwais Industrial City and the commitment and dedication of our staff, who are passionate to showcase our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. Our facilities and expert workforce play a pivotal role in enhancing our nation’s status as a responsible and reliable global energy leader,” he added.

The rail passenger service is a continuation of the close strategic partnership between Adnoc and Etihad Rail, with sulphur products already being transported by rail between Shah and Habshan to the export point at Al Ruwais Industrial City, enabling Adnoc Sour Gas to be a leading global sulphur producer.

Commenting on the strong partnership between both companies, Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, said: “We were pleased to host Adnoc’s executive leadership team on board the first rail journey between Abu Dhabi City and Al Dhannah City, and we are proud to have a strategic partner and customer such as Adnoc, who were one of the first companies to adopt rail transportation solutions in the country. As part of our ongoing efforts to establish strategic partnerships in the public and private sectors, we continue to work to develop an integrated transportation system in the country, in accordance with the directives of our wise leadership and under the supervision of our Chairman Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

With deliveries of LNG expected to start in 2028, AAdnoc’s low-carbon Ruwais LNG project will be the first LNG export facility in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to run on renewable and nuclear grid power, making it one of the lowest-carbon intensity LNG plants in the world. When completed, the project, which consists of two 4.8 mmtpa LNG liquefaction trains with a total capacity of 9.6 mmtpa, will more than double Adnoc’s LNG production capacity to help meet increased global demand for natural gas.