UAE: An agreement for the transport of construction materials from Ras Al Khaimah to Abu Dhabi was signed by Etihad Rail and quarrying company Stevin Rock on April 1.
Etihad Rail said the agreement was of ‘considerable significance’ as it is the first in a series of commercial agreements for Stage Two of the national rail network.
An estimated 3·5 million tonnes/year of construction material will be carried from Stevin Rock’s Al Ghail quarry in Ras Al Khaimah to Industrial City of Abu Dhabi. This will require 500 trains/year, each being 1 km long with 70 wagons.
‘By connecting with quarries in the northern emirates, Etihad Rail will ensure faster and more cost-effective delivery of construction materials’, said CEO of Etihad Rail, Shadi Malak. ‘We continue to deliver on our commitment to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions by decreasing truck movement on the roads, supporting our overall ethos of a sustainable future and the UAE’s wider sustainability targets.’
General Manager of Stevin Rock, Naser Bustami, said rail would ‘provide a sustainable alternative to road transport, contributing significantly to Stevin Rock’s continuous efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. Moreover, rail transport will allow us to be more competitive on pricing our products in Abu Dhabi.’
