Shipping Arabia, September 27, 2026 – Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group have launched a direct rail freight service connecting Fujairah Terminals with the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), creating an integrated inland logistics solution that links the UAE’s East Coast maritime gateway with Abu Dhabi’s industrial heartland through the UAE National Rail Network.
The new solution combines a dedicated rail freight service with a customs-enabled inland cargo gateway. It extends the reach of Fujairah Terminals beyond the port by allowing cargo arriving in Fujairah to travel approximately 200 kilometers by rail directly to ICAD, where customers can access customs clearance, inspection and cargo release services.
The partners said the service brings port-related logistics services closer to customers in Abu Dhabi while simplifying cargo movements between the UAE’s East Coast and major industrial areas in the capital.
ICAD becomes direct cargo destination and clearance point
A key element supporting the new service is the assignment of the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations, or UN/LOCODE, “AECAD” to ICAD. The designation establishes the industrial city as a recognized 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 both the destination and customs clearance point.
Containers arriving at Fujairah Terminals can therefore move directly by rail to ICAD, where dedicated customs and inspection infrastructure enables inspection, clearance and cargo release. According to the partners, the arrangement will simplify customs procedures, reduce handling requirements and accelerate cargo movement across Abu Dhabi.
The service is designed for importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors and logistics providers operating throughout the emirate. It allows businesses to receive cargo closer to warehouses, production facilities and final markets, reducing the need for additional road transport and shortening the distance between imported cargo and its ultimate destination.
Dedicated rail service to operate three times a week
Etihad Rail will operate the dedicated Fujairah Terminals–ICAD service three times per week, strengthening multimodal cargo flows between the UAE’s East Coast and industrial centers in Abu Dhabi.
The service is designed to provide regular and reliable schedules while supporting larger-volume cargo movements. The partners also expect the rail connection to reduce road congestion and lower carbon emissions compared with traditional long-haul trucking.
Omar Alsebeyi, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail Freight, said the Fujairah–ICAD connection represents another step toward using the full potential of the UAE National Rail Network for freight customers.
He said the partnership with AD Ports Group has created a logistics solution that goes beyond transportation by bringing key port services closer to where cargo is ultimately required. Combining rail connectivity, customs-enabled inland cargo handling and the ability to book cargo directly to ICAD is intended to improve cargo efficiency, simplify logistics processes and reduce the time between vessel arrival and final delivery.
Linking ports, rail and Abu Dhabi’s industrial ecosystem
Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer, Ports Cluster at AD Ports Group, said strong trade corridors depend on connecting maritime gateways with the industrial and commercial ecosystems they serve.
He said the integrated service connects Fujairah Terminals, the UAE National Rail Network and ICAD within a more connected logistics system. It also extends the reach of the group’s port infrastructure beyond the terminal while bringing essential services closer to customers.
According to Al Mazrouei, the partnership is intended to support seamless, reliable and resilient cargo flows while giving businesses greater flexibility in accessing markets and managing supply chains. The approach also supports greater connectivity across the trade ecosystem and Abu Dhabi’s position as a gateway for trade and industry.
Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group said the launch reflects their shared commitment to strengthening the UAE’s logistics and trade infrastructure through greater connectivity, innovation and customer-focused supply chain solutions.
By combining Fujairah Terminals with the UAE National Rail Network and an inland gateway providing customs and cargo handling services, the partnership aims to create a more efficient and resilient logistics ecosystem for businesses across the country.
Fujairah Terminals forms part of the wider AD Ports Group ecosystem and provides integrated supply chain links between ports, industrial and free zones, logistics platforms and digital services. Its location and service offering also support trade and logistics connectivity between the UAE and markets across the GCC, India, the Red Sea and East Africa.
Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)