Etihad Rail Freight, a subsidiary of Etihad Rail, has completed its first-ever shipment of finished vehicles for an automotive dealership in the UAE -in what has been described as “a significant step” in the development of the logistics sector in the Gulf state. Nissan brand cars were shipped from ports on the eastern coast to the dry port at the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), on behalf of the automotive arm of local conglomerate Al Masaood.
“This milestone demonstrates exactly what rail freight is designed to do: offer a reliable, predictable, and scalable solution that integrates seamlessly into existing supply chains,” commented Omar Alsebeyi, CEO of Etihad Rail Freight. He said the UAE’s national rail network was built to strengthen the resilience and efficiency of the country’s logistics sector.
“And today, we are seeing that ambition translate into real-world impact. We look forward to building on this partnership and enabling more businesses across the UAE to benefit from rail.” The “milestone” also signalled the continued expansion of Etihad Rail Freight’s activities beyond bulk commodities into high-value, diversified cargo, while demonstrating how rail can be integrated into modern, end-to-end supply chains. Beyond operational efficiency, the move also marks a step towards more sustainable logistics.
Public-private sector collaboration
In a company statement, Irfan Tansel, CEO of Al Masaood Automobiles, noted: “Every part of the customer journey matters, including how reliably and efficiently a vehicle reaches its owner. This initiative reflects the steps we are taking behind the scenes to strengthen that experience. He said collaboration with Etihad Rail Freight was a prime example of what can be achieved when national infrastructure and private sector capabilities come together with a shared focus on progress and long-term value.
Largest inland terminal in the UAE
Etihad Rail is developing the largest inland rail freight terminal in the UAE at the ICAD. It is designed to facilitate the movement and distribution of goods across the UAE and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries, linking quarries in the northern Emirates with industrial centres in Mussafah, as well as connecting Ruwais and Khalifa Port, and container handling companies in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port. Operating 24/7, the terminal will have the capacity to handle around 15 million tonnes of bulk raw materials, 1.5 million tonnes of general cargo, and approximately 116,000 twenty-foot equivalent containers (teus) annually.