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Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group have launched a direct cargo rail service that combines dedicated rail transport with a customs-enabled inland gateway at the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi. Containers arriving at Fujairah Terminals can now move by rail to ICAD, where businesses access customs clearance, inspection and cargo release closer to their operations. The companies announced the service on Sunday as the first opportunity for shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners to book ICAD directly as a destination and clearance point.
ICAD has received its own UN Locode, establishing the site as a recognised location in global shipping networks according to the partners. This designation allows the industrial zone to operate effectively as an inland port for trade documentation and processing. The initiative forms part of ongoing integration between the UAE National Rail Network and key port facilities to streamline supply chains.
Scheduled rail connections under the new link offer greater capacity for high-volume cargo while reducing dependence on road haulage. The arrangement is projected to alleviate road congestion in key corridors and deliver lower carbon emissions than conventional trucking methods. Such rail-based logistics solutions support more efficient movement of goods across Abu Dhabi’s industrial landscape.
Omar Alsebeyi, chief executive officer at Etihad Rail Freight, described the development as an important step in realising the potential of the national rail system. “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,” he said. “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.”
Saif Al Mazrouei, chief executive officer of the ports cluster at AD Ports Group, said the service links Fujairah Terminals, the national rail network and ICAD within a single integrated trade route. “Through our partnership with Etihad Rail Freight, we are enabling more seamless, reliable and resilient cargo flows, while providing businesses with greater flexibility in how they access markets and manage their supply chains,” Al Mazrouei stated. “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.”
The cargo launch builds on the start of passenger services along the Fujairah-Abu Dhabi corridor in June, which cut typical journey times to one hour and 45 minutes according to The National. Etihad Rail continues phased expansion of the national network, with further stations scheduled to open across Dubai, Sharjah and Al Dhafra through March 2027. The freight connection advances the UAE’s broader objective of enhancing logistics efficiency and reducing transport-related emissions through greater rail utilisation.
