Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, has concluded its participation in Global Rail 2024 with 10 agreements and memoranda of understanding. The operator has expanded its partnerships with international players specializing in railways, transport, and infrastructure, in a bid to shape the future of the transport and infrastructure sector.
Etihad Rail in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI), ADNEC Group, and dmg events, held the inaugural edition of the exhibition under the theme ‘Setting Transport Infrastructure and Global Connectivity in Motion’.
Advancing UAE’s transport and infrastructure
Etihad Rail signed 10 agreements and memoranda of understanding with companies globally, including:
Presight AI Technologies
Etihad Rail signed an MoU with Presight AI, a leading UAE-based artificial intelligence and big data analytics company, to explore and implement cutting-edge digital solutions across its operations. The partnership will focus on developing and deploying AI-driven solutions for capital planning, corporate excellence, and other key business units, positioning Etihad Rail at the forefront of AI-powered innovation in the railway industry.
RITES Ltd
Etihad Rail also signed an MoU with RITES Ltd, a leading Indian public sector enterprise specializing in transportation and infrastructure. The agreement aims to unlock opportunities in railway and infrastructure development in the UAE and the wider region. This includes the supply and leasing of rolling stock, as well as consultancy and project management for railway development.
KNR and KORAIL
The national railway operator also signed an agreement with the Korea National Railway (KNR) and Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL). The agreement will foster collaboration in technical exchanges and knowledge sharing. Moreover, it will foster joint efforts in railway construction, project management, operations, facility maintenance, and rolling stock. The partnership also aims to drive innovation and best practices in rail infrastructure development, leveraging the expertise of all three organizations.
Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ)
Among the key strategic partnerships was an MoU between Etihad Rail and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, which aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange in the railway sector. This partnership will focus on sharing best practices and expertise in key areas such as railway planning, construction, operation, maintenance, and technology.
The collaboration also aims to explore opportunities in intermobility, high-speed rail, and sustainable railway practices, further strengthening ties between the UAE and Austria in rail development and innovation.
Other key agreements
Etihad Rail also signed an agreement with L&T Technology Services Limited to establish a national mobility innovation center in Abu Dhabi. It also partnered with IronLev to explore magnetic levitation technologies to enhance rail operations and with Nevomo for autonomous rail solutions.
The operator also sought to advance its communication systems and cybersecurity, signing an agreement with Hitachi to equip future passenger stations with advanced communication systems, including oversight and cybersecurity solutions, to improve station management, enhance passenger safety, and facilitate seamless travel between major cities in the UAE.
Finally, Etihad Rail signed an MoU with SBS Transit, a multi-modal public transport operator in Singapore, to leverage mobility solutions and AI applications in developing the railway sector in the UAE and the region. The agreement also explores future collaboration opportunities in this field.
Read: UAE-Oman Hafeet Rail project signs $1.5 billion bank financing deals
Global Rail 2024
Global Rail 2024 hosted a strategic conference that explored innovative policy frameworks for accelerating railway benefits and cross-sector collaboration to enhance the added value and potential of the rail sector. It also featured a technical conference showcasing the latest research and developments in railway innovation, presented by industry leaders, institutes, and various academic entities.
As part of the strategic conference’s high-level discussions, participants discussed tangible transformation in the transport and infrastructure sectors in the country. The event featured over 80 panel sessions with more than 150 international speakers.
Global Rail also featured a finance pavilion, providing an opportunity for financiers, developers, and key stakeholders to discuss funding opportunities, form strategic partnerships, and explore financial solutions to advance and develop the transport sector.
In addition, the event hosted the international projects pavilion, which highlights global railway operators, developers, and industry leaders, as well as an innovation hub, with the aim of empowering rail entrepreneurs and experts in R&D, giving them a platform to showcase disruptive technologies, innovative digital solutions, and groundbreaking advancements poised to revolutionize the transport and logistics sectors.
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