ABU DHABI, September 9, 2022 (WAM) — Etihad Railways has announced the successful completion of connections between its rail freight terminals at Abu Dhabi Industrial City (ICAD), the country’s largest inland freight rail terminal. and the UAE National Rail Network.
The company has completed track laying work and successfully tested a new line that stretches from the Saudi border to the port of Fujairah on the east coast and passes through major manufacturing hubs and city centres.
This achievement is in line with the goals of the UAE Railway Programme. The UAE Rail Program is the largest integrated system for transporting goods and passengers across the country. The program aims to connect the country’s major industrial and production centers, open new trade routes and facilitate population migration.
Upon completion of Stage 2 of the UAE National Rail Network, Etihad Rail will provide a logistics solution from its centrally located rail terminal in the industrial city of Abu Dhabi, a fast-growing hub for industrial companies in the region.
Mohamed Al Marzouki, Executive Director of Etihad Rail’s Rail Relations Division, said: “By connecting ICAD’s rail freight terminal to Etihad Rail’s main line, we will link Abu Dhabi with various industrial centers and importers. is ready to start delivering logistics solutions to our customers, this milestone brings us closer to achieving our goal of providing an integrated transportation system connecting industrial and manufacturing centers across the emirate to freight terminals and ports The strategic location of the ICAD Rail Freight Terminal drives all the value.We appreciate our customers because it is the largest indoor rail freight terminal in the United Arab Emirates.”
“Our network has a positive impact on the end user as it contributes to reducing the number of trucks on the road and reducing maintenance costs. We will further promote the sustainable development seen in: industry, commerce, the environment, etc.,” he added.
Etihad Rail is building ICAD’s largest inland rail freight terminal in the UAE at just over 2.7 million square feet. The new rail freight terminal will consist of more than 22 buildings and major structures to support operations, handling up to nine trains each day.
This facilitates the distribution of goods to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and UAE countries, connecting the quarries of the Northern Emirates to the industrial centers of the Mussafah region and connecting Ruwais, Khalifa ports and container companies . Dubai inside Jebel Ali Harbor. Containers are transported by rail to and from other cargo facilities after the road trip to the end-user location.
Rail freight terminals serve as logistics hubs for heavy industry, facilitating better connectivity to critical trade infrastructure such as ports, as well as enabling the seamless flow of raw materials and machinery for manufacturers. It will also provide customs clearance services and enhance the competitiveness of ICAD tenants.
Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the new rail freight terminal offers companies a range of competitive advantages with the highest levels of efficiency in terms of transportation costs and sustainability. When fully operational, the ICAD rail freight terminal will facilitate a more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable transport capacity, handling more than 15 million tonnes of loose raw materials, 1.5 tonnes of general cargo and approximately Handles 116,600 20-foot shipping containers. .
The ICAD rail freight terminal development will serve as part of Stage 2 of the UAE’s national rail network. This historic project stretches from Al on the Saudi Arabian border to the Emirate of Fujairah on the east coast. Upon completion, Stage 2 of the GCC’s rail network will integrate the country’s ports, manufacturing hubs and urban centers.
