UAE’s largest quarry signs with Etihad Rail
Stevin Rock to transport material via rail
Stevin Rock, the UAE’s largest quarry, has announced plans to use the Etihad Rail network to transport material once the rail project is completed.
With production of nearly 30 million tonnes in 2013 at its largest quarry, and total production of 46 million tonnes, Stevin Rock’s output makes up a major portion of the UAE’s total output of quarried materials, which is estimated at 106 million tonnes per year.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, Acting CEO of Etihad Rail, and Naser Bustami, General Manager of Stevin Rock.
Under the terms of the partnership, Stevin Rock will be using the 1,200km UAE rail network to distribute bulk commodities from its three quarries located in Kadra (Shawkah), Al Ghail and Khor Khuwair to Etihad Rail distribution terminals across the country, once the rail network is completed.
By 2020, it is expected that rail will facilitate Stevin Rock in transporting an annual volume of more than 22 million tonnes of mined products and materials to real estate developers and construction companies in the UAE and GCC.
Bustami said that Etihad Rail represents a more cost-effective and reliable transport solutions for the quarry, especially for long-distance transit. Currently Stevin Rock transports material across the UAE using barges as well as trucks.
“As we expand operations in the UAE and across the region, rail will allow us to move greater quantities of bulk commodity at one time and will improve transit times overall,” said Bustami.
The rail network will transport six million tons per year of commodities from Stevin Rock’s Shawkah quarry to various UAE distribution locations as well as to export terminals. Etihad Rail will also operate three trains each day to carry 11.9 million tons per year of commodities from the Al Ghail quarry to distribution locations within the UAE as well as to export terminals and one train daily from Khor Khuwair Quarries adjacent to Port Saqr to distribute 4.5 million tons per year across the emirates.
“It is promising to see yet another company recognise rail as the preferred transport solution for its logistics network in the region,” said Faris Saif Al Mazrouei. “Working with one of the world’s leading mining companies will significantly increase the bulk commodity volume Etihad Rail will transport and consequently, will improve the operational efficiency of overall business.”
Stevin Rock, which has been operating in Ras Al Khaimah since 1975, produces and sells more than 46 million tons of high-grade Limestone, Gabbro rock, concrete and asphalt aggregates for the construction industry.
