Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE's national rail system, has teamed up with AD Ports Group, a worldwide facilitator of integrated trade, industry, and logistics solutions, to introduce a new direct rail service linking Fujairah Terminals to the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD).
The combined inland logistics rail depot solution connects one of the UAE’s East Coast maritime access points on the Gulf of Oman with Abu Dhabi, the country’s industrial core, featuring a new dedicated rail freight service and a customs-ready inland cargo gateway aimed at enhancing trade accessibility for customers.
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Created in collaboration with AD Ports Group, Etihad Rail broadens Fujairah Terminals' accessibility beyond the port boundaries by facilitating the direct rail transport of cargo arriving in Fujairah, roughly 200 km to ICAD, offering customers customs clearance, inspection, and cargo release services.
A significant milestone supporting the launch is the assignment of ICAD its unique UN Locode “AECAD”, marking it as an acknowledged international logistics hub within worldwide shipping and trade networks.
For the first time, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and cargo owners can directly book cargo to ICAD as the destination and customs clearance point. Along with specialized customs and inspection facilities, this allows containers reaching Fujairah Terminals to be directly transported by rail to ICAD for inspection, clearance, and release, streamlining customs procedures, minimizing handling needs, and speeding up the flow of goods throughout Abu Dhabi.
The solution aims to assist importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, and logistics firms operating in Abu Dhabi, enabling them to receive cargo nearer to storage warehouses, production sites, and target markets.
On the strategic deal, Etihad Rail Freight CEO Omar Alsebeyi says, “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”.
"By combining rail connectivity with customs-enabled inland cargo handling and the ability to book cargo directly to ICAD, we are helping customers move goods more efficiently, simplify logistics processes, and reduce the time between vessel arrival and final delivery," he states.
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The new service provides clients dependable timetables, diminished traffic congestion, improved scalability for large cargo transfers, and decreased carbon emissions compared to conventional long-distance trucking.
AD Ports Group (Ports Cluster) CEO Saif Al Mazrouei says, “Strong trade corridors are built by connecting gateways with the industrial and commercial ecosystems they serve. The integrated service brings together Fujairah Terminals, Etihad Rail and ICAD as part of a more connected system, extending the reach of our port infrastructure beyond the terminal and bringing essential services closer to customers”.
“Through our partnership with Etihad Rail, we are enabling seamless, reliable and resilient cargo flows, while providing businesses with greater flexibility in how they access markets and manage their supply chains. This seamless approach strengthens connectivity across the trade ecosystem, supports long-term growth and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a gateway of choice for trade and industry”, he adds.
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Running three times weekly, the specialized Etihad Rail service links Fujairah Terminals to ICAD, enhancing multimodal cargo movement along the corridor. The introduction of the service underscores the collective dedication of Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group to enhancing the UAE’s logistics and trade framework by improving connectivity, fostering innovation, and delivering customer-centered supply chain solutions.
The collaboration between Fujairah Terminals and the UAE National Rail Network, along with an inland gateway providing customs and cargo handling services, is contributing to a more efficient and robust logistics ecosystem for businesses throughout the nation.