RINA, a global leader in engineering consultancy and in inspection and certification, has been selected by Hassan Allam Construction alongside its subsidiary Kortech, the main Project Manager, for the systems of the Hafeet Rail project, a joint venture connecting the UAE and Oman via a 303 km railway network.
The Hafeet Rail project will link Abu Dhabi to Sohar, offering seamless transportation of passengers and freight across the two nations. Passenger trains will travel at speeds exceeding 200 km/h. The new network will reduce travel time between Abu Dhabi and Sohar to just 100 minutes and facilitate the transportation of 15,000 tonnes of cargo in a single freight journey. The project is expected to support sectors ranging from mining to petrochemicals, strengthening the UAE and Oman’s positions as logistics hubs.
RINA is responsible for ensuring the complete and safe integration of the railway’s various subsystems, including signalling, telecommunications, and operational technologies. It will also oversee the implementation of the project’s signalling system, based on the cutting-edge European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2, for safety and reliability across all operations. Kortech—one of the region’s market leaders in providing turnkey solutions for MEP, ICT, system integration, data centers, and ERP—is responsible for ensuring smooth and efficient project systems execution at every stage.
Andrea Raffetti, Middle East, India & Turkey Infrastructure & Mobility Director from RINA commented: “RINA’s extensive experience in railway system integration is key to the safe and efficient operation of this critical infrastructure. Our role in the Hafeet Rail project is to ensure that all subsystems work harmoniously, resulting seamless and reliable performance. This project follows RINA’s successful involvement in Etihad Rail’s first stage. As part of the consortium, RINA’s scope includes requirements & configuration management, system interface and integration management, system assurance, safety analysis, RAM (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability) management, test & commissioning activities and specialities such as human factor and ergonomics, cybersecurity and electromagnetic compatibility. It will ensure that the system’s performance aligns with the client’s exacting specifications, guaranteeing the safety and operational success of this important project.”
