Etihad Rail launches Fujairah-ICAD rail service with AD Ports

Etihad Rail and AD Ports Group have launched a dedicated rail freight service linking Fujairah Terminals with the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), enabling containers arriving at Fujairah to be moved by rail roughly 200 km to Abu Dhabi for customs clearance, inspection and release. The service operates three times a week, integrates a customs-enabled inland cargo gateway at ICAD, and for the first time allows shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners to book cargo directly to ICAD under the UN LOCODE "AECAD".

"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," said Omar Alsebeyi, CEO — Etihad Rail Freight. "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."

The service establishes ICAD as an official international logistics location in global shipping systems by securing the UN LOCODE AECAD, allowing ICAD to function as a destination and clearance point for international shipments. AD Ports Group’s Fujairah Terminals will feed containers onto the UAE National Rail Network, delivering them to ICAD for customs inspection and release without the need for road transfer and additional handling.

Service features and operational details

• Frequency: Dedicated rail service operating three times per week between Fujairah Terminals and ICAD.
• Distance: Approximately 200 km rail transit from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi.
• Customs capability: ICAD designated with UN LOCODE "AECAD" and equipped with customs and inspection infrastructure to handle inbound containers.
• Target users: Importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors and logistics providers across Abu Dhabi and beyond.
• Benefits: Fewer handling steps, reduced road congestion, more predictable schedules and lower carbon emissions compared with long-haul trucking.

"Strong trade corridors are built by connecting gateways with the industrial and commercial ecosystems they serve," said Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer, Ports Cluster — AD Ports Group. "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."

AD Ports Group positions Fujairah Terminals within its broader ecosystem of ports, industrial and free zones, logistics platforms and digital services, stressing the role of its location and services in supporting trade across the GCC, India, the Red Sea and East Africa. The rail link is pitched as a strategic option for high-volume cargo movements that require integrated customs handling and proximity to manufacturing and warehousing facilities in Abu Dhabi.

Outlook

By enabling direct bookings to ICAD and combining rail connectivity with inland customs clearance, Etihad Rail and AD Ports aim to streamline door-to-door logistics for businesses operating in the UAE. The partners say the arrangement should shorten the time between vessel arrival and final delivery, increase resilience across cargo flows and provide businesses greater flexibility in managing supply chains. As usage scales, the service could reduce reliance on long-haul trucking and support efforts to decarbonise freight movements on key east–west trade corridors.