AD Ports Group and Etihad Rail launch integrated rail service, connecting Fujairah Terminals with Abu Dhabi’s industrial heartland
Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, and AD Ports Group have partnered to launch a direct rail service connecting Fujairah Terminals with the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD).
The integrated inland logistics rail depot solution links one of the UAE’s East Coast maritime gateways on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz, with the nation’s industrial heartland in the capital Abu Dhabi. It extends the reach of Fujairah Terminals beyond the port gates by enabling cargo arriving in Fujairah to be transported directly by rail approximately 200 km to ICAD, where customers can access customs clearance, inspection and cargo release services.
A key milestone underpinning the launch is the designation of ICAD with its own UN LOCODE ‘AECAD’, establishing it as a recognised international logistics location within global shipping and trade systems. For the first time, shipping lines, freight forwarders, and cargo owners can book cargo directly to ICAD as the destination and clearance point. Combined with dedicated customs and inspection infrastructure, this enables containers arriving at Fujairah Terminals to be transported directly by rail to ICAD for inspection, clearance, and release, simplifying customs processes, reducing handling requirements, and accelerating the movement of goods across Abu Dhabi.
AD Ports Group says the new service offers customers reliable schedules, reduced road congestion, enhanced scalability for high-volume cargo movements and lower carbon emissions compared with traditional long-haul trucking. Operating three times per week, the dedicated Etihad Rail service connects Fujairah Terminals with ICAD, strengthening multimodal cargo flows across the corridor.
Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO, Ports Cluster - AD Ports Group, says: “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.”