UAE launches bonded rail corridor between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah

His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council and Chairman of Etihad Rail, has witnessed the signing of a preliminary agreement to establish a new bonded rail corridor between Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah Terminals.

The agreement, signed by Etihad Rail, Abu Dhabi Customs, Fujairah Customs, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Fujairah Terminals, and Noatum Logistics, was announced during the second edition of Global Rail 2025. The initiative is set to enhance the efficiency, safety, and integration of rail transport across the UAE.

Sheikh Theyab welcomed the project as a milestone in strengthening the nation’s logistics and trade infrastructure. He said the corridor would reinforce the UAE’s position as a global trade gateway, while also supporting the country’s Net Zero 2050 commitments.

The bonded rail corridor will enable seamless goods movement between Khalifa Port, Fujairah Terminals, and their adjacent free zones. By streamlining customs procedures, the initiative will reduce clearance times, ensure smoother entry and exit processes, and complete final formalities at the destination.

Looking ahead

Through the collaboration, Etihad Rail aims to provide secure, safe, and sustainable cargo transport via the national rail network. Goods shipped through the corridor will also benefit from priority clearance, giving customers a competitive advantage for transit shipments, exports, and domestic trade between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.

Pilot operations are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. Ahead of the launch, Etihad Rail and its partners are working with authorities and customers to formalise cooperation frameworks, roll out services, and establish performance monitoring mechanisms to guarantee efficiency and quality.

Looking ahead, the corridor will be expanded to additional stations across the network, with new services and technologies introduced to deliver further efficiencies. The project aligns with the UAE’s strategy to modernise customs procedures, improve transport safety, and advance sustainability goals, cementing the country’s role as a hub for regional and global trade.