Senior executives at Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, have just returned from a five-day visit to Antwerp, Belgium, where they met and shared ideas with key players in the world of transport.
The delegation, which included senior executives from Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) and global port operator DP World, was intended to give the UAE parties a chance to discuss the project with industry representatives, as well as gain an insight into other successful railway and port networks around the globe.
Talking about the importance of the visit to Belgium, Etihad Rail’s executive director – commercial, Shadi Malak, said: “This visit was significant in many ways, as it enabled us to share insights on all levels of railway development, operation and co-operation with our shipping partners.”
The last quarter of this year will see Etihad Rail commence construction on the first phase of the 1,200km UAE railway network – a 266km route in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, with the opening scheduled for 2013.