UAE · Gulf logistics
How the UAE built a freight railway from ports to inland industry
The UAE inaugurated its national freight railway in February 2023, extending a network whose first stage had operated since 2016. Etihad Rail reported moving more than 16.5 million tonnes of sulphur and aggregates combined in 2025, plus 148,000 containers.
Sources checked
- January 2016First stage fully operational
The first stage preceded the launch of the national freight network. Source 1
- 2022Abu Dhabi inland terminal connected
Etihad Rail completed the link from the ICAD freight terminal to the main line. Source 2
- 23 February 2023National freight network inaugurated
The launch described about 900 kilometres of railway and 38 locomotives. Source 1
- 30 September 2025Bonded rail corridor agreement announced
The preliminary agreement would link Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals. Source 3
- 28 January 2026Operator reports 2025 freight volumes
More than 6.5 million tonnes of sulphur, over 10 million tonnes of aggregates and 148,000 containers. Source 4
An operating freight line, a terminal connection and a proposed bonded corridor describe three different stages of logistics development.
The main line runs across the Emirates
Etihad Rail describes a main line from Ghuweifat at the Saudi border to Fujairah on the east coast. At the inauguration it reported about 900 kilometres of network, with 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons. The opening of the first stage in 2016 preceded the national launch by seven years. Source 1
An inland terminal connects rail and road
Etihad Rail built its Industrial City of Abu Dhabi freight terminal to serve manufacturers and handle materials and containers. Its connection announcement describes moving containers by train between freight facilities and using a road leg to reach end users. A terminal provides the transfer point between the two modes. Source 2
Bulk freight and containers use different measures
The January 2026 board release reports more than 6.5 million tonnes of sulphur and over 10 million tonnes of aggregates carried during 2025. It reports containers by count. Adding the two bulk figures gives a combined lower bound of 16.5 million tonnes for those commodities. Source 4
A port link also needs a customs process
Etihad Rail announced a preliminary agreement for a bonded corridor from Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi to Fujairah Terminals. The parties included both customs authorities, port operators and a logistics company. The agreement identifies an intended logistics route and the organisations that would need to operate it. Source 3