Etihad Rail has operated a passenger train on a trial basis between Al Ghuwaifat, near the Saudi border, and Al Faya in Abu Dhabi, as part of contingency planning linked to current regional developments.

The test run forms part of wider preparedness measures aimed at safeguarding essential services and ensuring alternative transport options remain available if required. The initiative was carried out in coordination with the Abu Dhabi Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre (ADCMC).

Officials said the route connecting the two stations holds strategic significance, strengthening transport links between the UAE and Saudi Arabia while facilitating access to key ports and logistics hubs. The connection is designed to support the movement of citizens and residents and provide additional flexibility within approved response frameworks.

The operation sits within a broader package of integrated measures implemented by relevant authorities to reinforce logistical security and business continuity. These efforts are aligned with multi-scenario risk management strategies intended to ensure that critical infrastructure remains resilient under changing circumstances.

Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director-General of ADCMC, said transport readiness is central to Abu Dhabi’s comprehensive emergency response system. He noted that developments are managed under structured governance and close coordination across sectors, allowing for rapid adjustments and efficient deployment of resources.

Al Nuaimi added that maintaining flexibility within the transport network is vital to sustaining essential services and preserving societal stability. The Centre, he said, continues to monitor developments around the clock to strengthen preparedness and public confidence.

From Etihad Rail’s side, Chief Projects Officer Eng Mohammed Al Shehhi said the trial demonstrates the adaptability of the UAE’s national railway network. He noted that operating passenger services along the Al Ghuwaifat–Al Faya corridor highlights the system’s ability to support national requirements under various scenarios.

Al Shehhi said the initiative aligns with directives to bolster the national transport ecosystem and enhance its strategic contribution to community resilience. He confirmed that Etihad Rail teams remain in close coordination with government partners to maintain operational continuity.

Authorities stressed that the move reflects proactive planning rather than reactive measures, translating risk assessments into practical solutions that enhance infrastructure resilience and ensure the smooth movement of people when needed.

The Etihad Rail has unveiled fresh details of its forthcoming passenger services. (Image source: Etihad Rail)

The Etihad Rail has unveiled fresh details of its forthcoming passenger services, offering insight into what travellers can expect when the UAE’s national rail network begins operations later this year.

The announcement follows confirmation of the country’s long-anticipated intercity passenger rail system, positioned as a modern alternative to driving between the Emirates.

The service has been designed to reflect changing lifestyles across the UAE, with a focus on reliability, comfort and sustainability.

Azza AlSuwaidi, deputy chief executive of Etihad Rail Mobility, said the next phase marks a shift from delivering infrastructure to shaping the overall travel experience.

She noted that the ambition is to create a service people actively choose because it integrates seamlessly into their daily routines.

For commuters, predictability is central to the offering. A consistent timetable and guaranteed seating are intended to provide peace of mind, enabling passengers to plan their schedules with greater certainty.

Quiet, calm onboard environments are also expected to allow travellers to use their journey time productively or as an opportunity to rest.

Key features

AlSuwaidi said reliability remains the defining factor for daily passengers, adding that the rail network is designed to give people “useful and usable time back” rather than adding to the pressures of the working day.

Business travellers are another key demographic. Trains will feature onboard Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat and spacious interiors, creating what the operator describes as a professional and connected setting.

The aim is to allow passengers to work, prepare for meetings or unwind while travelling between the UAE’s major commercial hubs.

Families and leisure travellers are also being targeted as core users of the service. Dedicated family seating areas and generous luggage storage are intended to make weekend breaks, holidays and visits to relatives easier and less stressful.

By removing the demands of driving, such as navigating traffic and long hours at the wheel, the operator believes rail travel can help families spend more meaningful time together.

AlSuwaidi highlighted that 2026 has been designated the UAE Year of the Family, noting that rail journeys can offer uninterrupted shared time that is increasingly rare in modern life.

The passenger experience has also been developed to reflect a distinct Emirati identity. From station architecture to onboard design, the network aims to embody national values centred on safety, quality and hospitality.

Officials say international best practice and rigorous operational standards will underpin the system, reinforcing confidence among citizens and residents alike.

A key highlight of the company’s presence at LogiMAT will be the launch of LOXrail smartCURVE. (Image source: LOSYCO)

LOSYCO will present a new generation of rail-based intra-logistics and production transport systems at LogiMAT 2026, taking place in Stuttgart, Germany, from 24-26 March 2026.

Exhibiting at booth 7-F09, the German manufacturer will showcase developments extending its LOXrail system, designed to provide complete transport and handling solutions from a single source. The company specialises in heavy-duty rail-based logistics for industrial environments, with systems tailored to specific customer production processes.

LOXrail tracks, available in two sizes, are engineered to handle payloads of up to 60 tonnes and beyond. The system enables energy-efficient and cost-effective movement of heavy loads on customised trolleys across a wide range of manufacturing applications. These include the production of tools and agricultural machinery, wind turbine assembly and modular house prefabrication.

According to LOSYCO, even multi-tonne loads can be transported manually due to the low rolling resistance of the rail system. Alternatively, battery-powered drive units can be integrated, offering flexible propulsion options depending on operational requirements.

Show highlights

A key highlight of the company’s presence at LogiMAT will be the launch of LOXrail smartCURVE, described as the next stage in rail-based production logistics. The system combines the load-bearing strength of fixed intra-logistics rails with automation features commonly associated with automated guided vehicle (AGV) technology.

The smartCURVE solution has already been deployed at an automotive production plant, where it operates as a fully autonomous transport system. It comprises self-propelled transport trolleys equipped with sensor-based position detection, fail-safe low-latency Wi-Fi communication and inductive charging technology. The trolleys are capable of navigating factory layouts independently, transporting materials or assemblies between workstations, positioning themselves with precision and recharging without manual intervention.

LOSYCO said the system is designed to meet growing demand for smart factory solutions capable of handling heavy loads while integrating seamlessly into automated production environments.

In addition to its rail innovations, the company will display floor-level crossing systems, AllRounder steering platforms and material feeding and warehouse logistics solutions. These systems are intended to enhance flexibility and efficiency across manufacturing and storage operations.

Company representatives said they are looking forward to engaging with industry professionals at the Stuttgart exhibition, as manufacturers increasingly seek scalable and automated solutions for heavy-duty internal logistics.

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Drydocks World has become the latest member of the Maritime Emissions Reduction Centre (MERC), strengthening the consortium’s technical expertise and collaborative capacity in advancing lower-carbon shipping solutions.

MERC, co-founded by the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub and leading shipowners including Capital Group, Navios Maritime Partners, Neda Maritime Agency, Star Bulk, and Thenamaris (Ships Management) Inc., focuses on practical decarbonisation strategies, emissions reduction technologies and industry-wide collaboration to accelerate the maritime sector’s transition towards sustainable operations.

Drydocks World, recognised for its expertise in complex ship repair and retrofit projects, will bring hands-on engineering experience to MERC’s initiatives. The company has extensive experience integrating advanced technologies on operating vessels, a capability that is increasingly critical as shipyards become central to deploying energy efficiency systems. MERC officials expect Drydocks World’s insights to inform how technologies are assessed, prioritised and implemented across different vessel types.

Nikos Kakalis, MERC Managing Director, said: “Drydocks World’s involvement provides an essential layer of applied engineering experience that complements MERC’s technical and analytical work. The organisation brings practical insight gained through decades of major retrofit projects. This expertise will help us understand not only what is technically possible, but what can be delivered efficiently and safely in a real shipyard environment. That combination of deep engineering knowledge and hands-on experience will help MERC ensure that emerging technologies can be installed safely, efficiently and commercially viably.”

The partnership comes amid growing R&D efforts within MERC, including studies on emerging efficiency technologies, integration of advanced systems on existing vessels, and expanded work in hydrodynamics, wind-assisted propulsion, auxiliary power alternatives, and data-driven operational optimisation.

Captain Rado Antolovic, PhD, CEO of Drydocks World, said: “Joining MERC allows us to contribute our engineering and retrofit experience to a collaborative effort focused on solutions the industry can implement. Decarbonising the existing fleet requires practical, evidence-based approaches, and we see real value in working alongside MERC’s partners to shape technologies and integration strategies that work across different vessel types.”

As a Centre Member, Drydocks World will provide yard-level insight to ensure decarbonisation solutions are technically feasible, scalable, and deliverable within operational and drydocking constraints, while aligning retrofit and conversion capabilities with evolving regulatory and shipowner requirements, particularly in Europe.