Etihad Rail and AD Ports unveil integrated rail link connecting Fujairah Terminals to ICAD
A customs-enabled rail service now carries containers directly from Fujairah Terminals to the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), recognised with UN LOCODE “AECAD”, simplifying clearance and bringing cargo closer to industry.
Etihad Rail Freight and AD Ports Group have inaugurated a direct rail service that links Fujairah Terminals with the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), delivering an integrated inland logistics solution that combines dedicated rail freight with a customs-enabled cargo gateway. The arrangement extends port reach beyond the quayside, permitting consignments arriving in Fujairah to be transported straight to ICAD for inspection, clearance and release.
A new inland logistics gateway
The service is designed to transform how goods move between the UAE’s east coast and Abu Dhabi’s industrial heartlands. Containers may now be booked directly to ICAD as the destination and customs clearance point, allowing shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners to consolidate administrative and physical handling at an inland location closer to warehouses, production facilities and final markets.
ICAD has been assigned the UN LOCODE “AECAD”, formally recognising the industrial zone as an international logistics location within global shipping and trade systems. Combined with dedicated customs and inspection infrastructure, the designation enables a streamlined process whereby cargo arriving at Fujairah Terminals can be conveyed by rail to ICAD for all post-arrival procedures, reducing intermediate handling and the time between vessel arrival and delivery.
Efficiency, resilience and environmental gains
The rail connection is pitched at importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors and logistics providers operating across Abu Dhabi. By shortening the distance between port and destination and reducing reliance on long-haul trucking, the service aims to lower road congestion and carbon emissions while offering reliable schedules and improved scalability for high-volume cargo movements.
Etihad Rail Freight’s dedicated service links Fujairah Terminals with ICAD to strengthen multimodal flows between the UAE’s east coast and the capital’s industrial centres. For businesses, the arrangement promises simpler customs processes, fewer handling stages and greater resilience in supply chains—particularly for operations that benefit from having inspection and release facilities closer to their sites.
Partnership and strategic intent
The launch underlines both organisations’ ambitions to knit together port infrastructure, national rail capacity and inland logistics platforms into a coherent trade corridor. As part of AD Ports Group’s wider ecosystem, Fujairah Terminals continues to play a central role in delivering integrated, end-to-end supply chain services that connect ports, industrial and free zones, logistics platforms and digital solutions across the region.
Commenting on the development, Omar Alsebeyi, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Rail Freight, said: “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. 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 supporting customers move goods more efficiently, simplify logistics processes and reduce the time between vessel arrival and final delivery. This aligns with our ongoing commitment to facilitating trade across the country and supporting the national economy.”
Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer, Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group, added: “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 (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. Through our partnership with Etihad Rail Freight, we are enabling more seamless, reliable and resilient cargo flows, while providing businesses with greater flexibility in how they access markets and manage their supply chains. This seamless approach strengthens connectivity across the trade ecosystem, supports long-term growth and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a gateway of choice for trade and industry.”
Together, the partners say the initiative will bolster the UAE’s logistics and trade infrastructure by enhancing connectivity, encouraging innovation and delivering customer-focused supply chain solutions that promote efficiency and resilience for businesses operating across the country.