Etihad Rail , the developer and operator of U.A.E.'s national railway network, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Western Bainoona Group (WBG). The MoU will enable WBG to use rail for distribution from its crusher location at Tawyeen to the Etihad Rail distribution and export terminals in U.A.E. The approximate annualised transport by rail volume is set to rise to 10,000,000 tonnes by 2020.
Commenting on the MoU, Eng. Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, Acting CEO of Etihad Rail , said, "By working with Etihad Rail , WBG stands to gain faster and more consistent transit times, lower overall cost for transport and capacity to move a larger quantity of goods at once." Al Mazrouei further added, "The agreement will provide Etihad Rail with additional volumes of bulk commodities transport within U.A.E. and will improve the overall efficiency of WBG's business." Mohammed Khalfan Al Hameli, Chairman of WBG, commented, "Our organisation is rapidly expanding and evolving its service offering. Today, the company's strengths lie in producing and selling quarry products and Etihad Rail will provide us with a new alternative that is on the whole more cost-effective and reliable than existing transport, especially for long haul journeys." Western Bainoona Group was founded in Abu Dhabi in 1990 and has an annual turnover of approximately Dh 700 million. The company is an acclaimed name in the field of Construction, Civil Engineering Works, Crushers and Land Transportation in U.A.E.
Etihad Rail has signed a series of MoUs and works closely with key stakeholders throughout U.A.E. The Dh 40 billion, 1,200 km Etihad Rail network will connect industrial areas as well as urban and peripheral communities throughout the country, facilitating trade and fostering economic growth.
Source: WAM