Abu Dhabi, UAE, 8 March 2017:  Etihad Rail has been participating in the region’s largest rail exhibition and conference, Middle East Rail (MER), held at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre over the 7th and 8th March.

During the two-day event, the national rail network has showcased an Etihad Rail Virtual Reality experience, planned network maps and an insight into the future passenger operations of the operator.

H.E. Eng. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of Etihad Rail, and Eng. Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail, hosted a series of discussions with international rail delegates across the event, including Paul Maynard MP, UK Rail Minister,  Philip Parham, UK Ambassador to the UAE, and H.E. Dr Rumaih al Rumaih, President of Saudi Railways Organisation and the Public Transport Authority.

H.E. Eng. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of Etihad Rail, said:  “Middle East Rail presents a great opportunity for Etihad Rail to showcase this important mega project, and its progress, across the region.

“We are particularly delighted with the successes we have achieved with Stage 1 operations over the past 18 months, reaching a historic milestone of over 10 million tonnes of Sulphur transported and establishing the UAE  as the largest exporter of Sulphur in the world. We now look forward to prosperous years ahead as our rail network continues to grow, and this conference is a celebration of this exciting vision.”

Following the recent announcement that 10 million tonnes of sulphur has been transported by the fleet as of February 2017, Etihad Rail is present at MER to participate in the ongoing endeavours towards building the region’s first rail network.

 “Etihad Rail is honoured to be a part of Middle East Rail once again, and to be an Official Partner of the event,” said Eng. Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail.

“As the UAE’s national rail network,  we are driven to play a critical part in making the region’s expansive rail network a reality. Within this mission, Middle East Rail forms a crucial platform for the leading players of the global rail industry to discuss and collaborate in upcoming projects.”

Since its inaugural edition in 2007, MER has grown to become the most influential rail event in the region. Hosting over 400 exhibitors in the expo section and 200 speakers in the conference, key rail and transport professionals from around the world have descended on Dubai for the two-day event between the 7-8 March 2017.

Established in June 2009, Etihad Rail is the national rail network of the UAE.  The network has been active with commercial operations since 2015 transporting sulphur for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and recently surpassed the milestone of 10 million tonnes.

The planned expanse of the 1,200km network is part of the government’s plans to invest in excellent transport infrastructure, with the aim being to further strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading logistics hub, facilitating connectivity between trading partners in the region and beyond, through integration with key ports of the Gulf and Arabian seas.