Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group have launched a dedicated freight service running between Fujairah Terminals on the Gulf of Oman and the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), covering roughly 200 kilometres three times per week.
The service is designed to let cargo arriving at Fujairah bypass the road network and clear customs at the inland end. ICAD has been assigned the UN LOCODE “AECAD”, meaning shipping lines, freight forwarders, and cargo owners can now book ICAD directly as a destination and clearance point in global trade systems.
Containers transported by rail can be inspected, cleared, and released at ICAD rather than at the port, reducing handling steps and, the companies say, cutting the time between vessel arrival and final delivery.
“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,” Omar Alsebeyi, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Rail Freight said in a statement.
“Strong trade corridors are built by connecting gateways with the industrial and commercial ecosystems they serve. The integrated service brings together Fujairah Terminals, the UAE National Rail Network and ICAD (AECAD) 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,” Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer, Ports Cluster – AD Ports Group added.
The service targets importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, and logistics providers in Abu Dhabi, allowing them to receive goods closer to warehouses, production facilities, and end markets. The companies also cite lower carbon emissions compared with long-haul trucking as a benefit of the modal shift.
Fujairah Terminals, as part of the AD Ports Group network, connects to trade routes across the GCC, India, the Red Sea, and East Africa.
