Etihad Rail launches direct Fujairah to Abu Dhabi freight service with AD Ports Group
New inland gateway brings customs and cargo services closer to customers
ABU DHABI – Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, and AD Ports Group, a global provider of integrated trade, industry and logistics solutions, have launched a direct rail service connecting Fujairah Terminals with the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD).
The new integrated inland logistics rail depot solution links one of the UAE’s key East Coast maritime gateways on the Gulf of Oman with the industrial heartland of Abu Dhabi. It combines a dedicated rail freight service with a customs-enabled inland cargo gateway, bringing key trade services closer to customers.
Developed in partnership with AD Ports Group, the service extends the reach of Fujairah Terminals beyond the port gates, allowing cargo arriving in Fujairah to travel directly by rail for approximately 200km to ICAD. Once there, customers can access customs clearance, inspection and cargo release services.
New gateway
A key milestone supporting the launch is the designation of ICAD with its own UN LOCODE, “AECAD”, establishing the industrial city as a recognised international logistics location within global shipping and trade systems.
For the first time, shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners can book cargo directly to ICAD as the destination and clearance point.
Combined with dedicated customs and inspection infrastructure, the arrangement allows containers arriving at Fujairah Terminals to move directly by rail to ICAD for inspection, clearance and release. The setup simplifies customs procedures, reduces handling requirements and accelerates the movement of goods across Abu Dhabi.
The solution is designed to serve importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors and logistics providers operating across Abu Dhabi, allowing them to receive cargo closer to warehouses, production facilities and end markets.
The new service also provides customers with reliable schedules, reduced road congestion and greater scalability for high-volume cargo movements, while offering lower carbon emissions compared with traditional long-haul trucking.
Three weekly services
The dedicated Etihad Rail service will operate three times a week, connecting Fujairah Terminals with ICAD and strengthening multimodal cargo flows along the corridor.
Omar Alsebeyi, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Rail Freight, said the Fujairah to ICAD service represents another step towards unlocking the potential of the UAE National Rail Network for 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,” he said.
Alsebeyi said the combination of rail connectivity, customs-enabled inland cargo handling and the ability to book cargo directly to ICAD would help customers move goods more efficiently, simplify logistics processes and reduce the time between vessel arrival and final delivery.
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, or AECAD, as part of a more connected system, extending the reach of port infrastructure beyond the terminal and bringing essential services closer to customers, he said.
Through the partnership with Etihad Rail, businesses can access more seamless and reliable cargo flows, while gaining greater flexibility in accessing markets and managing their supply chains.
Al Mazrouei said the approach strengthens connectivity across the trade ecosystem, supports long-term growth and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a gateway for trade and industry.
Wider network
The launch reinforces the shared commitment of Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group to strengthening the UAE’s logistics and trade infrastructure through greater connectivity, innovation and customer-focused supply chain solutions.
By combining the capabilities of Fujairah Terminals with the reach of the UAE National Rail Network and an inland gateway offering customs and cargo handling services, the partnership is creating a more efficient and resilient logistics ecosystem for businesses operating across the country.
As part of the wider AD Ports Group ecosystem, Fujairah Terminals plays a role in delivering integrated, end-to-end supply chain solutions connecting ports, industrial and free zones, logistics platforms and digital services.