Joining forces for long haulage

Etihad Rail, master developer and operator of the UAE's national railway network, and Emirates Steel, the largest integrated steel manufacturer in UAE, have announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to use rail as the primary method for steel transportation across the UAE. For Emirates Steel, the partnership will help the company meet the distribution needs of the growing demand for quality steel products from the region's fast-developing economies. The MoU was signed by Richard Bowker CBE, CEO of Etihad Rail, and Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Romaithi, Acting CEO at Emirates Steel. Mr. Al Romaithi said, "We are one of the heaviest users of road haulage in the Emirates, therefore, real environmental benefits will be realized by taking trucks off the road, easing road congestion and enhancing road safety." Etihad Rail CEO Richard Bowker CBE, said, "Both Etihad Rail and Emirates Steel are playing an important role in the overall development of the UAE as well as in driving the country's economic growth." Emirates Steel will take advantage of the many benefits that the Etihad Rail network will offer. By 2016 raw materials and finished goods flows could reach an estimated annual volume of 12 million tonnes. By integrating rail in the transport process, considerable savings will be made.