Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, has signed 10 MoUs and agreements during Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition & Conference (Global Rail) 2024.
The MoUs and agreements were signed with international companies specializing in railways, transport, and infrastructure, with an aim to transform the transport and infrastructure sector of the region.
Etihad Rail signed an MoU with Presight AI, the UAE’s leading AI and big data analytics company. The partnership will leverage Presight AI’s expertise in generative AI, smart transportation, and logistics to enhance Etihad Rail’s efficiency, productivity, and drive digital transformation.
The MoU with RITES Ltd., the premier Indian public sector enterprise specializing in transportation and infrastructure, seeks to explore potential synergies and collaboration, as well as to unlock opportunities in railway and infrastructure development. This includes the supply and leasing of rolling stock, and consultancy and project management for railway development.
Etihad Rail also signed an MoU with Korea National Railway (KNR) and Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) to foster a multifaceted collaboration, aiming to accelerate innovation in rail infrastructure development, leveraging the expertise of all three organizations.
The partnership with Austrian Federal Economic Chamber seeks to foster collaboration and exchange of knowledge in the railway sector. It’ll focus on sharing best practices and expertise in key areas including railway planning, construction, operation, maintenance, and technology. The collaboration also aims to unlock opportunities in intermobility, high-speed rail, and sustainable railway practices.
Etihad Rail inked an MoU with L&T Technology Services Limited (LTTS), a prominent engineering services company. This strategic partnership aims to boost the development and adoption of advanced physical and digital solutions to drive sustainable, inclusive, and intelligent transportation ecosystem. It will also focus on fostering talent and expertise in rail, mobility, and related fields through research, collaboration, and commercialization initiatives.
The collaboration with IronLev will integrate IronLev’s unique passive ferromagnetic levitation system, which operates without complex and costly infrastructure, into Etihad Rail’s operations. The partnership aims to explore the potential of faster, more energy-efficient, and smoother transportation solutions for the UAE, to shape the future of rail transport in the region and beyond.
Etihad Rail also partnered with Nevomo, a European deep-tech company specializing in autonomous rail transport, to explore the potential of adopting advanced solutions for enhanced efficiency and to drive sustainability in the UAE’s railway sector.
Etihad Rail signed an MoU with Hitachi Rail, aiming to offer Etihad Rail’s future passenger stations with advanced communication systems, and facilitate seamless travel between major cities in the UAE. This initiative also aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050. Additionally, the partnership will integrate Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) technology into the UAE’s rail infrastructure.
Furthermore, Etihad Rail’s MoU with SBS Transit, a multi-modal public transport operator in Singapore, will leverage mobility solutions and AI applications with an aim to enhance the UAE’s railway sector. The agreement also explores future collaboration opportunities in this field.
