Etihad Rail to build freight terminal at Dubai Industrial City

UAE’s Etihad Rail has confirmed plans to open a 5.5 million sq ft terminal in Dubai Industrial City.

In March, Abu Dhabi and Dubai were connected with a direct railway line as part of the UAE National Rail Network.

“With a capacity of 5 million tonnes, the terminal will connect the industrial and manufacturing centres in the UAE, open new trade routes, and support the country’s sustainable development,” said Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail.

The new environmentally-friendly terminal builds on Dubai Industrial City’s proximity to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport.

Spread over 550 million sq ft, Dubai Industrial City is a major business district for local and regional manufacturing and logistics.

The industrial hub provides a range of logistics facilities and substantial storage area covering 4.3 million sq ft.

The announcement of the rail freight terminal was attended by His Excellency Eng. Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail; His Excellency Malek Al Malek, CEO of TECOM Group; Abdulla Belhoul, Chief Commercial Officer of TECOM Group; Saud Alshawareb Managing Director of Dubai Industrial pic.twitter.com/lrP6f38S89

— Dubai Industrial City (@DubaiIndCity) March 31, 2022

Through integrating Dubai Industrial City into the UAE National Rail Network, more than 780 companies, operating within the industrial hub – which provides direct access to Dubai’s main lines, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road – will be able to benefit from Etihad Rail’s solutions, according to news agency WAM. In addition, more than 280 factories in Dubai Industrial City will also be able to benefit from Etihad Rail’s transport solution.

The new terminal is located within the Etihad Rail’s network which runs from Seih Shuaib to Dubai and Sharjah and is part of Stage Two of the UAE National Railway.

In February, UAE’s Etihad Rail has signed a Dhs1.99bn financing agreement for passenger transport services with First Abu Dhabi Bank.

The passenger trains will connect 11 cities and locations in the country from Al Sila to Fujairah. It will operate at speed of up to 200kph, and will have a capacity to carry 400 passengers per train. The number of passengers served by Etihad Rail is expected to reach over 36.5 million annually across the country by 2030.

Read: Etihad Rail signs Dhs1.99bn financing agreement for passenger services with First Abu Dhabi Bank