Oman Rail
Oman Rail is the state-owned national railway company of Oman, operating under Asyad Group. It is developing a 2,135 km national rail network connecting Oman's ports of Sohar, Duqm, and Salalah to GCC markets, primarily through the Hafeet Rail joint venture with Etihad Rail and Mubadala.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersMuscat, Oman
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Oman Rail does
Oman Rail is the state-owned national railway company of the Sultanate of Oman, operating under Asyad Group as the Sultanate's designated developer of integrated rail infrastructure. Its mandate is to build and operate a 2,135 km national rail network that connects Oman's three major deepwater ports — Sohar, Duqm, and Salalah — to GCC markets, positioning Oman as a regional logistics gateway linking maritime trade to overland routes across the Arabian Gulf.
The company pursues this mandate principally through Hafeet Rail, a 50-50 joint venture with Etihad Rail (later joined by Mubadala Investment Company) that is delivering the $3 billion, 303-km Oman-UAE Railway Network connecting Sohar Port to Abu Dhabi. Core products include domestic intercity passenger services (200 km/h, 400-passenger trains), domestic and international freight services (15,000-tonne-per-train capacity, ~270 standard containers per train), and the integrated freight facilities across ports and industrial zones. Underlying technology comprises ETCS Level 2 signaling, GSM-R communications, GPS-based digital train control, and a double-track design engineered for future electrification, all delivered through the Siemens-HAC systems joint venture and civil works by an Omani-Emirati construction alliance.
Oman Rail's revenue model is transaction-based: freight charges from B2B shippers (steel producers, mining companies, cement manufacturers, logistics operators) on per-volume/per-weight/per-distance terms, and B2C passenger ticket sales. Pricing is negotiated via long-term enterprise contracts rather than publicly disclosed, with the company actively pre-signing MoUs with anchor industrial customers (Vale, Jindal Shadeed, Emirates Steel Arkan, Al Jazeera Steel Products) ahead of network completion. As of the input period, the network remains under construction, no revenue is publicly disclosed, and the company operates with a small corporate team while outsourcing build and systems delivery to JV partners.
Oman Rail firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Oman Rail
- Legal name
- Oman Rail
- Website
- https://omanrail.om
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Oman Rail is the state-owned national railway company of Oman, operating under Asyad Group. It is developing a 2,135 km national rail network connecting Oman's ports of Sohar, Duqm, and Salalah to GCC markets, primarily through the Hafeet Rail joint venture with Etihad Rail and Mubadala.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Oman Rail industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Railway Transportation and Infrastructure Services
- NAICS
- Line-Haul Railroads (482111), Rail Transportation (48211), Support Activities for Rail Transportation (488210)
- SIC
- Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011), Railroad Switching & Terminal Establishments (4013)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cross-Border Rail Freight Operators (International Corridors) (TLADACAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Metals, Minerals & Steel Rail Operators (TLADACAF), Minerals & Ores Transport (Iron Ore/Bauxite/Phosphate) (TLADAKAE), Rail Heavy Haul & Dimensional Loads (Out-of-Gauge) (TLADAGAL)
Keywords
Where Oman Rail is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Muscat
- HQ country
- Oman
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
Oman Rail business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Freight Transportation Services: Rail-based freight transportation connecting Oman's major ports (Sohar, Duqm, Salalah) to GCC markets. Revenue generated through freight charges based on volume, weight, and distance. Services targeted at mining, steel, manufacturing, and logistics companies.
- Passenger Rail Services: Domestic intercity passenger services and international passenger services connecting Omani cities to UAE destinations upon GCC network completion. Revenue from ticket sales for passenger transport.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Oman Rail product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Oman Rail is the national railway company of the Sultanate of Oman, developing and operating an integrated national rail network (planned 2,135 km) that connects Oman's major ports of Sohar, Duqm, and Salalah to GCC markets. It sells rail-based freight transportation services (up to 15,000 tonnes per train) to industrial and logistics customers, and will sell domestic and international intercity passenger rail services, including the cross-border Sohar–Abu Dhabi route operated through the Hafeet Rail joint venture with Etihad Rail and Mubadala.
Product overview
Oman Rail operates as a premier national railway company offering an integrated transport ecosystem. The core portfolio consists of the National Rail Network (Railway of Oman) - a 2,135 km network connecting Oman's major ports (Sohar, Duqm, Salalah) to GCC markets, and the Hafeet Rail (Oman-UAE Rail Network) - a 303 km, $3 billion joint venture with Etihad Rail connecting Sohar to Abu Dhabi. Services include domestic intercity passenger transport and freight logistics solutions, with future international services extending across the GCC region upon network completion. The railway infrastructure features state-of-the-art signaling (ETCS Level 2) and communication systems (GSM-R), with double-track design prepared for future electrification.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- National Rail Network (Railway of Oman) A 2,135-kilometer national railway network connecting Oman's major ports (Sohar, Duqm, Salalah) to key regional and international trade destinations and GCC markets. Designed for mixed freight and passenger operations with double-track capability for future electrification, ETCS Level 2 signaling, and GSM-R communications.
- Hafeet Rail (Oman-UAE Rail Network) A 303-kilometer joint railway network connecting Sohar Port in Oman to Abu Dhabi in the UAE. A $3 billion joint venture between Oman Rail, Etihad Rail, and Mubadala Investment Company, featuring passenger trains reaching 200 km/h and freight trains at 120 km/h, with full digital train control via ETCS Level 2. Designed to carry up to 15,000 tonnes of cargo or 400 passengers per train.
- Domestic Intercity Passenger Services Domestic intercity passenger rail services providing accessible and reliable transport within Oman, connecting major cities and population centers. Will utilize passenger trains operating at up to 200 km/h with capacity of 400 passengers per train.
- Domestic and International Freight Services Rail-based freight logistics solutions for transporting goods domestically and internationally, serving industrial and logistics customers. Upon completion of the GCC network, services will extend to all major cities in the Arabian Gulf, with each freight train capable of transporting up to 15,000 tonnes of cargo (equivalent to ~270 standard containers).
Quantifiable outcome
- 40% reduction in shipping costs compared to traditional land transportation
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Oman Rail
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Oman Rail technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Oman Rail partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Jindal Shadeed Iron & SteelflagshipMoU for annual transportation of up to 4 million tonnes of raw materials and finished steel products from Jindal's steel complex at Sohar Port to UAE markets. The partnership supports Jindal's sustainability objectives and logistics optimization.
- Mubadala Investment CompanycoreStrategic partnership with Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi's sovereign investor, to explore investment opportunities and expand cooperation in the railway sector. Mubadala joined as a shareholder in the Oman-Etihad Rail joint venture, bringing total shareholders to three: Oman Rail, Etihad Rail, and Mubadala.
- Al Jazeera Steel Products CoflagshipMoU to establish strategic framework for logistics solutions for transportation of raw materials and finished steel goods. Al Jazeera Steel will use the Oman-UAE Rail Network to optimize inbound and outbound logistics from its Oman factories, reducing costs and improving efficiency.
- Etihad RailcoreJoint venture partnership with Etihad Rail (operator of UAE National Railway Network) to design, build, and operate the Oman-UAE Railway Network. The JV company (originally Oman and Etihad Rail Company, rebranded as Hafeet Rail) is equally owned by both parties and connects Sohar Port to the UAE National Rail Network.
- Hafeet RailcoreNew corporate brand identity for the joint venture between Oman Rail, Etihad Rail, and Mubadala. The name pays homage to Jebel Hafeet, a mountain stretching between Oman and UAE with historical significance. Hafeet Rail serves as the operating entity for the Oman-UAE Railway Network.
- ValeflagshipMoU with Vale, one of the world's largest iron ore producers, to develop integrated logistics solutions for transportation of iron ore and derivatives. Vale will export products from Sohar Port and Freezone to planned mega-industrial complex in UAE. Vale has operated in Sohar Port since 2011.
- Emirates Steel ArkanflagshipMoU to facilitate transportation of 4-6 million tonnes annually of raw limestone from Oman to Emirates Steel Arkan's cement factories in Al Ain, UAE. The partnership supports Oman Vision 2040 and creates revenue opportunities for Omani quarrying companies.
- Siemens and HAC Joint VenturecoreJoint venture awarded tender for systems and integration of the railway network. Siemens and HAC will equip Hafeet Rail's fleet with latest rail technologies including ETCS Level 2 signaling systems for highest efficiency and safety standards.
- Trojan Construction Group (NPC), Galfar Engineering and Contracting, Tristar Engineering & Construction (TE&C), National Infrastructure Construction Company (NICC)coreOmani-Emirati alliance awarded civil works and construction tender for the railway network. The alliance combines local expertise from both countries including Trojan Construction Group (NPC), Galfar Engineering and Contracting, Tristar Engineering & Construction, and National Infrastructure Construction Company.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Oman Rail competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Etihad Rail: Operator and developer of the UAE National Rail Network; Oman Rail's 50/50 JV partner in Hafeet Rail. Operates cross-border freight and planned passenger rail in the same corridor, making it the closest operational and structural peer.
- Etihad Rail Freight (operating segment): Freight arm of Etihad Rail moving industrial bulk and intermodal cargo across the UAE. Directly comparable in customer base (steel, aggregates, industrial bulk) and modal positioning.
Regional players
- Qatar Rail: State-owned rail developer and operator in Qatar (Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, plus planned long-distance freight). Comparable as a GCC national rail entity, though primarily focused on urban passenger rather than cross-border freight.
Broad incumbents
- DP World: Global port operator headquartered in Dubai with significant GCC and Middle East freight logistics exposure. Comparable as a multimodal logistics platform competing for regional cross-border cargo flows.
- AD Ports Group: Abu Dhabi-listed operator of ports, logistics, and adjacent transport infrastructure. Comparable as a state-owned GCC multimodal logistics champion integrating ports and rail/freight; competes with Oman Rail for regional logistics hub positioning.
- Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR): National rail operator of Saudi Arabia running freight and passenger services across long corridors including minerals and intermodal. Comparable as a state-owned GCC rail operator, though larger in scale and route length.
Emerging players
- Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ): National rail operator of Kazakhstan with extensive cross-border and bulk-mineral freight (iron ore, coal, grain). Comparable as a state-owned national railway reliant on mineral/bulk freight anchor customers in a resource-rich geography.
- Botswana Railways / TransNamib (southern African mineral-rail peers): National, state-owned mineral-rail operators linking inland mining and port export corridors. Comparable as resource-corridor national rail operators dependent on a small number of bulk commodity anchor customers.
Others
- Etihad Shipping & Freight Services: UAE-based freight and shipping services group with multi-modal capability across the Gulf. Comparable as a regional freight services competitor for cross-border GCC cargo.
- Asyad Group: Oman's national logistics holding company and parent of Oman Rail. Directly comparable as the integrated logistics platform under which Oman Rail operates and through which national logistics strategy (Oman Vision 2040) is executed.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Oman Rail social profiles
Digital presenceOman Rail financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Oman Rail leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Oman Rail subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Oman Rail funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Oman Rail M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Oman Rail
What does Oman Rail do?
Oman Rail is the national railway company of the Sultanate of Oman, developing and operating an integrated national rail network (planned 2,135 km) that connects Oman's major ports of Sohar, Duqm, and Salalah to GCC markets. It sells rail-based freight transportation services (up to 15,000 tonnes per train) to industrial and logistics customers, and will sell domestic and international intercity passenger rail services, including the cross-border Sohar–Abu Dhabi route operated through the Hafeet Rail joint venture with Etihad Rail and Mubadala.
Is Oman Rail a public or private company?
Oman Rail is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Oman Rail founded?
Oman Rail was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Oman Rail based?
Oman Rail is headquartered in Muscat, Oman, in the Middle East region.
How does Oman Rail make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Freight Transportation Services are the primary driver. The others are passenger Rail Services.
Who are Oman Rail's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Etihad Rail and Etihad Rail Freight (operating segment). Qatar Rail is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are DP World, AD Ports Group and Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). Emerging players are Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) and Botswana Railways / TransNamib (southern African mineral-rail peers). Others are Etihad Shipping & Freight Services and Asyad Group.
Does Oman Rail have an API?
No public API is recorded for Oman Rail.
What industry is Oman Rail in?
Oman Rail's product category is Railway Transportation and Infrastructure Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADACAL, Cross-Border Rail Freight Operators (International Corridors), with a secondary code of TLADACAF, Metals, Minerals & Steel Rail Operators. Its NAICS code is 482111 and its SIC code is 4011.