Etihad Rail connects major freight terminal in Abu Dhabi to main network

UAE national rail network developer and operator Etihad Rail has connected a major freight terminal that is still under development to the network's main line.

Planned to be a logistics centre, the terminal at Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) will cover more than 250,838 square metres when complete, Etihad Rail said on Friday.

It will be the largest inland freight terminal in the country and will handle more than 20 million tonnes of cargo a year.

Etihad Rail completed the laying of tracks and conducted successful tests on the new line, which extends from the border with Saudi Arabia to the Port of Fujairah.

The development of the ICAD railway freight terminal is part of the second stage of the UAE’s national rail network.

“This milestone brings us closer to achieving our goal of providing an integrated transport system that connects the industrial and manufacturing centres with freight terminals and ports across the emirates,” said Mohammed Al Marzouqi, executive director of the rail relations sector at Etihad Rail.

“The strategic location of the ICAD railway freight terminal will also drive value for all our customers as it is the largest indoor railway freight terminal in the UAE.”

UAE rail map. Photo: Etihad Rail

The terminal will comprise 22 buildings and major structures to support operations and it will process up to nine trains a day.

It will enable the distribution of goods across the GCC and UAE, where it will connect quarries in the Northern Emirates to industrial centres in Abu Dhabi's Mussaffah area, in addition to linking Ruwais, Khalifa Port and container companies operating within Dubai's Jebel Ali port.

“We are proud of this achievement, which supports our efforts to encourage companies to