Etihad Rail marked a huge milestone by transporting its first consignment. Al Masaood Automobiles and Etihad Rail Freight, a subsidiary of Etihad Rail which is responsible for delivering freight services, have completed the first-ever freight transport.
The milestone saw a shipment of Nissan cars transported from ports on the Eastern Coast in Fujairah to the dry port at the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), marking a new chapter in how goods travel across the country.
This milestone signals the continued expansion of Etihad Rail Freight beyond bulk commodities into high-value, diversified cargo, while demonstrating how rail can be integrated into modern, end-to-end supply chains.
The movement enabled vehicles to travel seamlessly from port to destination, improving efficiency, predictability, and delivery timelines for Al Masaood Automobiles. In a sector where timing and reliability are critical, this approach strengthens the overall customer experience by ensuring vehicles reach their destination without unnecessary delay.
Omar Alsebeyi, CEO of Etihad Rail Freight, said, “This milestone demonstrates exactly what rail freight is designed to do: offer a reliable, predictable, and scalable solution that integrates seamlessly into existing supply chains. The UAE’s national rail network was built to strengthen the resilience and efficiency of the country’s logistics sector, and today we are seeing that ambition translate into real-world impact. We look forward to building on this partnership and enabling more businesses across the UAE to benefit from rail.”
The move also marks a step towards more sustainable logistics. Rail transport offers a lower-emission alternative to traditional road freight, supporting efforts to reduce environmental impact across the automotive value chain. Such initiatives also align with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.