Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group Launch Direct Fujairah–Abu Dhabi Freight Rail Service

New integrated logistics service connects Fujairah Terminals with the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, offering rail transport, customs clearance and cargo handling through a single inland gateway.

Etihad Rail Freight and AD Ports Group have launched a new direct rail freight service connecting Fujairah Terminals with the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), strengthening cargo connectivity between the UAE’s east coast and one of Abu Dhabi’s key industrial hubs.

The new service combines dedicated rail freight transportation with a customs-enabled inland cargo gateway at ICAD. Cargo arriving at Fujairah Terminals can now be moved directly by rail to Abu Dhabi, where businesses can complete customs clearance, inspection and cargo release closer to their warehouses, factories and distribution operations.

Bringing Port Services Closer to Abu Dhabi Businesses

The partnership extends the reach of Fujairah Terminals beyond the port itself by linking maritime cargo operations directly with the UAE National Rail Network.

Instead of relying entirely on long-distance road transport after cargo reaches Fujairah, containers can be transferred to rail and transported to ICAD. The new system is designed to reduce handling requirements, simplify customs procedures and shorten the distance between imported goods and their final destinations in Abu Dhabi.

The rail journey between Fujairah Terminals and ICAD covers approximately 200 kilometres, according to reports on the launch.

ICAD Receives International Logistics Code

A significant part of the development is the designation of the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi with its own United Nations Location Code, AECAD.

The designation allows shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners to identify and book ICAD directly as a destination and cargo-clearance location within international shipping systems.

Containers arriving at Fujairah can therefore be transported by rail directly to ICAD for inspection, customs clearance and release instead of requiring those processes to be completed farther from the customer’s operations.

Supporting Importers, Exporters and Manufacturers

The integrated service is aimed at a broad range of businesses, including importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors and logistics companies operating in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group say the solution can provide more predictable freight schedules and greater capacity for high-volume cargo movements while reducing dependence on long-haul trucking.

Moving more cargo by rail could also help reduce road congestion and lower carbon emissions associated with freight transportation.

Omar Alsebeyi, CEO of Etihad Rail Freight, said the project represented another step in expanding the potential of the UAE National Rail Network for freight customers.

He said combining rail connectivity with customs-enabled inland cargo handling would help companies simplify logistics processes and reduce the time between the arrival of vessels and final cargo delivery.

Strengthening the UAE's Logistics Network

The latest service also supports AD Ports Group’s wider strategy to develop a multimodal inland logistics network linking ports, industrial zones, dry ports and cargo depots through rail.

Earlier in 2026, AD Ports Group announced plans for a consolidated rail-linked inland logistics network involving ICAD, with Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals positioned as important gateways for UAE industry.

Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO of the Ports Cluster at AD Ports Group, said connecting ports with industrial and commercial centres would help create more seamless and resilient cargo flows while providing companies with greater flexibility in managing their supply chains.

A New East Coast–Abu Dhabi Trade Corridor

Fujairah’s location on the Gulf of Oman gives the terminal strategic access to major international shipping routes, while ICAD serves as an important manufacturing and logistics centre in Abu Dhabi.

Connecting the two locations directly by rail provides businesses with another option for moving goods between the UAE’s maritime gateways and inland industrial areas.

The partnership forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the UAE’s position as a regional and international logistics hub by integrating ports, railways, industrial zones and customs infrastructure into a more connected national supply chain.