Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group have introduced a dedicated freight rail service spanning 200 kilometers, connecting Fujairah Terminals with the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD). Operating three times each week, the route enables shippers to book cargo directly for delivery to ICAD, including full customs clearance and inspection at the industrial hub itself.
This new corridor bridges Fujairah’s deep-water port with Abu Dhabi’s logistics infrastructure, bypassing the need to transit through other Arabian Gulf ports before reaching ICAD. Fujairah Terminals offers direct access to the Gulf of Oman and trade lanes serving the GCC, India, the Red Sea region, and East Africa. The terminal’s strategic location accelerates cargo movement for businesses across these markets.
ICAD has received its own UN LOCODE designation (AECAD), reinforcing its position as a global logistics hub. The designation simplifies customs procedures, reduces handling bottlenecks, and speeds up cargo processing for Abu Dhabi’s importers, exporters, and manufacturers. Companies operating within ICAD will now benefit from streamlined documentation and faster release of goods.
Omar Alsebeyi, CEO of Etihad Rail Freight, described the service as a transformative logistics solution that brings port capabilities closer to industrial and commercial centers. His counterpart at AD Ports Group, Saif Al Mazrouei, highlighted how the integration of Fujairah Terminals, the national rail network, and ICAD creates a more cohesive trade network for the UAE.
Freight rail operations provide consistent transit times, increased capacity for bulk shipments, and reduced carbon emissions compared to overland trucking routes. The service also contributes to traffic reduction in Abu Dhabi by diverting freight from congested highways onto rail. This shift aligns with broader efforts to optimize the national transport network.
For businesses in Abu Dhabi’s industrial zones, the direct rail connection to Fujairah cuts transit delays and lowers logistics expenses. The collaboration between Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group represents a key advancement in the UAE’s national rail expansion, particularly for industries dependent on precise supply chain timing. The project supports the country’s broader strategy to develop a reliable, high-capacity freight network.
Industrial operators in Abu Dhabi will now have faster, more predictable access to global supply chains through this dedicated rail corridor. The initiative also strengthens Fujairah’s role as a critical transshipment point for regional and international trade flows.