DOHA — Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE's national railway network, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Transworld Logistics, a multi-faceted shipping and logistics company. The agreement will provide Transworld Logistics – part of the UAE-based global conglomerate Transworld Group - with a new and economical mode of transport and help deliver a reliable, high volume service across rail and shipping networks. The MoU was signed by Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail, and Mannan Balasubramanian, General Manager of Transworld Logistics. “This agreement cements an important relationship between our two companies,” said Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail. “In addition to their warehousing and logistics offerings, the Transworld Group also represents other organizations alongside Transworld Logistics – these are Orient Express Lines and Balaji Shipping Lines. The collaboration between Etihad Rail and Transworld Logistics highlights the importance of rail as a vital component of multi-modal transport in the Middle East.” Mannan Balasubramanian, General Manager of Transworld Logistics, said “once operational, the Etihad Rail network will transport large volumes of goods in an economical, safe and efficient manner. transforming the freight industry across the UAE. Etihad Rail will also provide an environmentally friendly method of transport, which is always a key consideration for us. We are confident that our partnership with Etihad Rail will create an even more effective goods transport service across the Middle East.” The Etihad Rail network will span approximately 1,200 kilometers across the UAE, providing both freight and passenger services. It will connect urban and peripheral communities, facilitate trade, open up communication channels and foster economic development across all Emirates in the UAE. The network will also form a vital part of the GCC Railway Network, linking the UAE to Saudi Arabia through Ghweifat in the west and Oman through Al Ain in the east. — SG
