Market update
A new container rail service runs three times a week over about 200 km from Fujairah Terminals to the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, with customs clearance at the inland end — a direct east-coast link outside the Strait of Hormuz.
Published · Midtrans Shipping And Services
Reviewed by Khaldoun Al-Khouli, General Manager
What the Fujairah–Abu Dhabi rail link changes for UAE-bound containers.
Etihad Rail Freight with AD Ports Group, three services a week (RailFreight.com).
Clearance, inspection and release at ICAD, which has its own UN/LOCODE (The National).
Fujairah is the UAE's main gateway outside the Strait of Hormuz (Semafor).
Book boxes to ICAD directly, with less trucking from the east coast.
The service
Etihad Rail Freight and AD Ports Group have launched a direct rail cargo service between Fujairah Terminals and the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), first announced on 20 September 2026 (The National). The service runs three times a week over about 200 km (RailFreight.com, Semafor).
Inland clearance
Containers can be cleared, inspected and released at ICAD, which has been given its own UN/LOCODE (The National). RailFreight.com reports that this is the first time shipping lines and forwarders can book cargo directly to Abu Dhabi's industrial zone as the destination.
Want to know if Fujairah + rail fits your shipment? Ask MIDTRANS.
Why Fujairah
Semafor describes Fujairah as the UAE's main maritime gateway outside the Strait of Hormuz, and reports that the service launched amid disruption to shipping through the strait (24 September 2026). RailFreight.com notes that Fujairah's location lets maritime operations continue even if that sea lane is shut.
What it means
For UAE importers with cargo bound for Abu Dhabi's industrial areas, the rail link offers a Fujairah-to-ICAD option with clearance at the inland end and less dependence on the road leg. Services, cut-offs and bookings still need confirming shipment by shipment.
MIDTRANS
MIDTRANS SHIPPING AND SERVICES plans UAE import and export routings — port choice, inland leg and customs clearance — from our Dubai head office and Jebel Ali team. Tell us your cargo and destination and we'll compare the options.
FAQ
Three times a week, over about 200 km between Fujairah Terminals and the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD). It is operated by Etihad Rail Freight with AD Ports Group (RailFreight.com, Semafor).
Yes. ICAD offers customs clearance, inspection and release, and has its own UN/LOCODE, so lines and forwarders can book cargo to ICAD as the destination (The National, RailFreight.com).
Fujairah is the UAE's main maritime gateway outside the Strait of Hormuz, and the service launched amid disruption to shipping through the strait, Semafor reports. Rail now links it to Abu Dhabi's industrial city.
Tell us your cargo and destination — MIDTRANS will compare ports, the inland leg and customs clearance for you.
International Shipping & Customs Assistant
