Oman and Etihad Rail Company, the developer and operator of the UAE-Oman Rail Network, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vale, one of the world’s largest mining companies, to explore utilizing rail to transport iron ore and its derivatives between the Sultanate of Oman and the UAE, connecting Vale’s industrial complex in Sohar Port and Freezone to its planned mega-industrial complex in the UAE.
Under the terms of the agreement, both parties will work to develop integrated logistics solutions that connect Vale’s industrial complex in Sohar Port and Freezone and transport the company’s iron ore products and derivatives between the company’s Sohar hub and various factories and distribution centers.
Vale, headquartered in Brazil, is one of the largest mining companies globally, operating in five continents. The company is a top producer of iron ore. Vale supported the development of Brazil’s railway network, which spans over 2,000km, and has been operating in Sohar Port and Freezone for 12 years. Its industrial complex in Sohar Port, established in 2011, is the largest industrial investment in the Sultanate.