Etihad Rail, AD Ports launch 200km Fujairah-Abu Dhabi freight service
Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group said the system is designed to simplify customs procedures, reduce cargo handling, and accelerate the movement of goods across Abu Dhabi.
UAE – Etihad Rail has launched a 200-kilometer freight service connecting Fujairah and Abu Dhabi, operating three times a week between Fujairah Terminals and the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), according to a joint statement with AD Ports Group.
Under the new system, companies can, for the first time, book cargo directly to ICAD as the destination and customs clearance point.
Additionally, cargo arriving at Fujairah Terminals can travel approximately 200 kilometers by rail to ICAD, where customs clearance, inspection, and cargo release services will be provided.
Customs integration and UN LOCODE designation
A key part of the new logistics corridor is the designation of ICAD with its own UN LOCODE, “AECAD,” recognizing the industrial city as an international logistics location within global shipping and trade systems.
Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group said the system is designed to simplify customs procedures, reduce cargo handling, and accelerate the movement of goods across Abu Dhabi.
The service targets importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, and logistics companies operating across Abu Dhabi, bringing cargo closer to warehouses, factories, and end markets.
Leadership comments
Omar Alsebeyi, CEO of Etihad Rail Freight, said: “The launch of our new Fujairah-ICAD rail service represents another important step in unlocking the full potential of the UAE National Rail Network for our customers. Through our partnership with AD Ports Group, we have created an innovative logistics solution that goes beyond transportation by bringing key port services closer to where cargo is ultimately needed.”
Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer, Ports Cluster – AD Ports Group, said: “Strong trade corridors are built by connecting gateways with the industrial and commercial ecosystems they serve. The integrated service brings together Fujairah Terminals, the UAE National Rail Network and ICAD (AECAD) as part of a more connected system, extending the reach of our port infrastructure beyond the terminal.”
Regional connectivity
Fujairah Terminals serves as the maritime gateway for the new service, giving businesses access to the Gulf of Oman without cargo first traveling through Arabian Gulf ports.
Moreover, the terminal also provides connections to markets across the GCC, India, the Red Sea, and East Africa.
Lastly, Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group said that moving freight by rail will provide reliable schedules and additional capacity for high-volume cargo, while reducing road congestion and producing lower carbon emissions than traditional long-haul trucking.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
