Etihad Rail Freight, in partnership with AD Ports Group, has launched a new direct rail cargo service connecting Fujairah Terminals to the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD). The service allows importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors and logistics companies to move containerised cargo straight from the coast to the industrial hub by rail.
With the launch, ICAD now operates as a customs-enabled inland cargo gateway, letting customers access customs clearance, inspection and cargo release services closer to their own operations rather than at the port. ICAD has also received its own UN LOCODE designation, "AECAD", allowing shipping lines and freight forwarders to book it directly as a destination and clearance point.
Omar Alsebeyi, CEO of Etihad Rail Freight, and Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO of Ports Cluster at AD Ports Group, described the service as a step toward simplifying customs procedures and cutting unnecessary handling of cargo. Officials said the scheduled rail connection offers greater capacity than trucking, while reducing road congestion and carbon emissions along the route.
The move is part of the UAE's wider push to expand its rail freight network and reduce reliance on long-haul trucking between ports and industrial zones across the country.