Etihad Rail, Arsenale to bring luxury train cruise to UAE, GCC

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, and Italian luxury hospitality company, Arsenale, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the development of a luxury train experience, which will operate within the UAE, and extend to the GCC.

This will be Arsenale’s second international luxury train project, following the recent announcement of The Dream of the Desert project in Saudi Arabia.

This project will give Arsenale access to the UAE National Rail Network, which links all emirates, as well as the planned GCC railway network. The agreement aims to provide travellers with a unique luxury train cruising experience, allowing them to discover countries in the region, from the UAE to Oman, and beyond.

The train will consist of 15 luxury coaches. It will pass through the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, extending to Fujairah, with a mountain view overlooking the sea, towards the border with Oman, and passing through Mezeira’a and the Liwa Desert. The UAE will be among the first countries in the world to have a fully customised luxury train cruise service.

Etihad Rail to offer one of the world’s first luxury train cruise service

Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail said: “This agreement comes in line with Etihad Rail’s commitment to improve the quality of life for people in the UAE, and reinforces our ambition to provide a competitive railway offering that will meet a diverse range of needs from freight to luxury travel.

“As part of our work to introduce new and innovative railway concepts to the UAE we look forward to partnering with Arsenale  to provide one of the first luxury train cruises in the world, ensuring a unique and enjoyable passenger experience.”

Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale stated: “We are thrilled to work together with Etihad Rail on this groundbreaking project that will promote the discovery of a magical and exciting territory outside of the renowned destination of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Railway cruising is the future of tourism and Arsenale wants to make it available in the world’s most beautiful places, introducing this fascinating and sustainable new way of travelling.

“We are delighted to announce that UAE will be one of the first countries in the world to launch this unique service with us. This partnership proves that there are no limits to passion and no barriers capable of stopping the will to go beyond the imaginary.”

With Etihad Rail’s network complete, Arsenale will begin manufacturing the train, which will be completely customised to reflect Emirati heritage.

The production, craftsmanship, quality of onboard services, interior design and know-how will be Italian, and the ‘Made in Italy’ signature branding will be the basis on which the entire project will be developed.

The luxurious train will be completely refurbished in specialised factories based in Puglia and Sicily, in the South of Italy.

In other news, Etihad Rail and DHL Global Forwarding, have signed a 20-year strategic partnership agreement at the Middle East Rail 2023 event, held recently at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

The agreement will see the establishment of a joint venture company that will enable DHL Global Forwarding to use Etihad Rail’s network to conduct its main operations within the UAE.

Read: Etihad Rail, DHL Global Forwarding ink 20-year partnership

nder the terms of the agreement, DHL Global Forwarding will adopt rail as one of its major modes of transportation to distribute goods throughout the UAE via the railway network that links key industrial hubs.

The newly formed joint venture company will further strengthen the sustainable freight offering within the UAE, operating across the Etihad Rail Network.