Etihad Rail launches direct cargo service from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi’s Industrial City

Cargo arriving at Fujairah Terminals can now be transported directly by rail to the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) under a new service launched by Etihad Rail Freight and AD Ports Group.

The service, which operates three times a week, is designed to simplify cargo clearance, reduce handling and bring customs and inspection services closer to businesses operating in Abu Dhabi.

Containers arriving at Fujairah Terminals can travel around 200km by rail to ICAD, where they can undergo inspection, customs clearance and cargo release.

Direct booking to ICAD

The new service combines dedicated rail transport with a customs-enabled inland cargo gateway at ICAD.

The arrangement allows importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors and logistics companies to receive goods closer to warehouses, factories and end markets.

A key development supporting the service is ICAD’s designation with its own UN LOCODE, “AECAD”, making it a recognised international logistics location within global shipping and trade systems.

Shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners can now book ICAD directly as the destination and clearance point.

Customs clearance closer to businesses

Once containers arrive at Fujairah Terminals, they can be moved by rail to ICAD for inspection, customs clearance and release.

The customs-enabled infrastructure is intended to reduce the number of cargo-handling steps and simplify the movement of goods across Abu Dhabi.

The service also provides scheduled rail connections and additional capacity for high-volume cargo, while potentially reducing road congestion and carbon emissions compared with traditional long-haul trucking.

Etihad Rail expands freight network

Omar Alsebeyi, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail Freight, said the new service builds on the UAE National Rail Network by connecting port infrastructure with an inland cargo gateway.

“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,” Alsebeyi said.

He added that combining rail connectivity with customs-enabled inland cargo handling and direct booking to ICAD would help businesses move goods more efficiently and reduce the time between vessel arrival and final delivery.

AD Ports links ports and industrial hubs

Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of the Ports Cluster at AD Ports Group, said the service connects Fujairah Terminals, the UAE National Rail Network and ICAD as part of a more integrated trade system.

He said the partnership is intended to provide businesses with more flexibility in accessing markets and managing supply chains while supporting more seamless and reliable cargo flows.

Bonded rail corridor supports cargo movement

The launch follows a “bonded rail corridor” agreement reached last October between Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals.

The arrangement allows goods to move under customs control without the immediate payment of import or export duties.

The memorandum was signed by Etihad Rail, Abu Dhabi Customs, Fujairah Customs, AD Ports Group, Fujairah Terminals and Noatum Logistics in the presence of Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail.

Fujairah Terminals is part of the wider AD Ports Group network and provides connectivity to markets across the GCC, India, the Red Sea and East Africa.

Etihad Rail targets 60 million tonnes of freight

Freight operations began across the UAE’s full 900km national rail network in 2023. Etihad Rail has said four of its 11 freight terminals are connected to ports — Ruwais, Khalifa, Jebel Ali and Fujairah.

The operator has set a target of moving 60 million tonnes of freight annually by 2030.

Fujairah has also been connected to Etihad Rail’s passenger network, with passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah beginning on June 30, 2026.