The Emirati rail operator Etihad Rail has launched a new freight connection between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah together with AD Ports Group. It links Abu Dhabi’s industrial zone with a port on the Indian Ocean.
The Fujairah–Abu Dhabi service links the UAE’s industrial heartland with maritime facilities past the Strait of Hormuz. It extends the reach of Fujairah Terminals beyond the port. Freight can now be moved to the country’s capital city directly via rail over a distance of 200 kilometres.
A key milestone of the service’s launch is that shipping lines, freight forwarders, and cargo owners can book freight directly to Abu Dhabi’s industrial zone as the destination and clearance point for the first time. This enables containers to be transported directly to the zone for inspection, clearance, and release. The service will operate three times per week.
Fujairah Terminals supports the UAE’s position as a global logistics and trade hub, writes AD Ports Group. It strengthens connectivity across the GCC, India, the Red Sea, and East Africa.
Hormuz strait
Importantly, Fujairah is located past the Strait of Hormuz, meaning that it can still serve freight operations while the crucial sea lane is closed. Etihad Rail and AD Ports do not say if this pushed them to launch the Fujairah–Abu Dhabi rail freight service.
“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 [Industrial City of Abu Dhabi] as part of a more connected system, extending the reach of our port infrastructure beyond the terminal and bringing essential services closer to customers”, commented Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO of AD Ports Group Ports Cluster.