Etihad Rail-National Quarries: Vital to GCC railway network

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE's national railway network, and National Quarries have signed a memorandum of understanding, which unlocks a wide range of benefits for National Quarries, which will use the 1,200km Etihad Rail network to distribute its products within the UAE and across the GCC. 

The partnership is anticipated to provide a cost-efficient and reliable transport solution - especially across long haul distances - Etihad Rail will help National Quarries to achieve faster and more consistent transit times, lower its overall logistics costs and increase its capacity.

Hamad Ali Saif Lootah, Chairman of Al Jazeera Investment Co., owner of National Quarries, said: "This new agreement with Etihad Rail will transform how we do business. As for any company in our sector, logistics is one of the biggest operational costs. Etihad Rail will provide us with a more economical and reliable transport system that will greatly benefit our operations as we continue our regional expansion. Its new logistics strategy for bulk transportation will enable us to have forward distribution centres closer to our customers and ensure better quality control for our products."

The agreement is the latest in a long line of regional partnerships that Etihad Rail has entered into over the past 18 months. According to the Company, building effective working relationships with regional businesses and other stakeholders is a key objective. 

"Etihad Rail will provide a faster, more reliable and lower cost transportation service that will link the country's major centres of population and industry with the Gulf and Indian oceans," said Eng. 

Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, Acting CEO of Etihad Rail . "This enhanced connectivity will bring businesses closer together, extending geographic markets, making a greater labour force available, and facilitating more efficient trade. Partnerships with key local companies such as National Quarries is a cornerstone of this integration and a major factor in the positive impact that Etihad Rail will have on the local-and regional-economy."

Part of the UAE-based Al Jazeerah Investment Co., National Quarries operates across the GCC, specialising in building and road construction products. It is expected that the volume to products National Quarries will transport by 2020 by Etihad Rail will reach 2,000,000 tonnes.

Once fully operational, the AED 40 billion Etihad Rail will cater to freight and passengers, connecting urban and peripheral communities, and fostering economic development across all seven emirates. The network will also form a vital part of the GCC railway network, linking the UAE to Saudi Arabia via Ghweifat in the west and to Oman via Al Ain in the east.

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