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 the capital’s industrial hub.
The service will operate three times a week, allowing containers arriving at Fujairah Terminals to travel approximately 200 kilometres by rail directly to ICAD. There, businesses can access customs clearance, inspection and cargo release services closer to their warehouses, factories and other operations.
A key part of the new logistics solution is ICAD’s new UN/LOCODE, AECAD, which formally recognises the industrial city as an international logistics location. Shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners can now book ICAD directly as the destination and clearance point for cargo.
The integrated service is designed to simplify customs procedures, reduce cargo handling and limit the need for additional long-distance road transport. It is expected to support importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors and logistics companies operating across Abu Dhabi while improving the movement of high-volume cargo.
Etihad Rail said the service also offers reliable schedules, reduced road congestion and lower carbon emissions compared with traditional long-haul trucking. The launch further expands the role of the UAE National Rail Network in connecting ports, industrial centres and major commercial markets.
The new Fujairah–ICAD corridor represents another step in developing an integrated national logistics network and strengthening the UAE’s position as a regional trade and transportation hub.
