Rail Freight in the UAE
The UAE has become one of the Middle East’s leading logistics hubs, and rail freight is playing an increasingly important role in cargo transportation. The country’s national railway network, operated by Etihad Rail Freight, enables businesses to move goods efficiently between ports, industrial zones, logistics hubs, and manufacturing facilities across the Emirates.
national network length
emirates connected
nationwide freight operations launched
trucks replaced by one train
Rail transportation offers a reliable and sustainable alternative to long-distance trucking, helping reduce road congestion, lower carbon emissions, and improve supply chain efficiency. As the UAE continues investing in railway infrastructure, freight services are expected to play an even greater role in regional trade.
What Is Rail Freight?
Rail freight refers to the transportation of goods using freight trains instead of trucks or air cargo. Modern freight railways are designed to move large volumes of cargo safely and efficiently over long distances while reducing transportation costs.
Rail freight is commonly used for transporting:
- Shipping containers
- Construction materials
- Industrial equipment
- Steel and metals
- Cement
- Chemicals
- Food products
- Consumer goods
- Bulk commodities
Etihad Rail Freight Network
Etihad Rail Freight is the UAE’s national cargo railway network. It connects major logistics centers, industrial facilities, ports, and free zones across the country, creating a modern transportation corridor that supports the nation’s growing economy.
Stage 1 — since 2016
A 264 km line from the Shah and Habshan gas fields to Ruwais, carrying granulated sulphur for export through Ruwais port.
Stage 2 — since February 2023
The network was extended from Al Ghuwaifat on the Saudi border to Fujairah on the east coast. Freight trains now operate across all seven emirates on a network of about 900 km.
The freight railway connects key locations including:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Fujairah
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Major industrial zones
- Container terminals
- Logistics parks
- Manufacturing facilities
| Type of Facility | Examples |
|---|---|
| Seaports | Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi), Jebel Ali (Dubai), Fujairah, Ruwais |
| Inland terminals | ICAD (Industrial City of Abu Dhabi), the country’s largest inland freight terminal; Dubai Industrial City; Al Ghail (Ras Al Khaimah) |
| Border points | Al Ghuwaifat (Saudi border); in future, the Oman border via Hafeet Rail |
The railway is also designed to become part of the future GCC Railway network, providing international rail cargo connections between the UAE and neighboring Gulf countries.
Advantages of Rail Freight Transportation
Businesses increasingly choose train cargo transportation because of its operational and environmental advantages.
- Lower transportation costs for heavy cargo
- Reliable delivery schedules
- Reduced highway congestion
- Lower carbon emissions
- High cargo capacity
- Improved supply chain efficiency
- Safe transportation of bulk materials
- Reduced fuel consumption
For high-volume shipments, rail freight often provides a more economical solution than long-distance road transport.
Types of Cargo Transported by Train
Modern freight trains operating within the UAE transport a wide variety of commercial goods, including:
- Standard shipping containers
- Refrigerated containers
- Construction materials
- Industrial machinery
- Steel products
- Cement and aggregates
- Oil and gas equipment
- Agricultural products
- Consumer goods
- Bulk commodities
The network also carries granulated sulphur and petrochemical polymers. For example, Borouge moved more than 700,000 tonnes of polymers by rail in the first year of its partnership with Etihad Rail.
Rail Logistics in the UAE
Rail logistics forms an important part of the UAE’s integrated transportation network. Freight trains work alongside ports, airports, warehouses, and trucking companies to create efficient multimodal supply chains.
Intermodal rail transportation allows containers to move quickly from seaports to inland logistics centers before final delivery by road. This reduces handling costs while improving delivery efficiency.
Port
A container is unloaded from a ship at Khalifa Port, Jebel Ali or Fujairah.
Rail
A train carries the cargo to an inland terminal or industrial zone.
Road
A truck completes the last leg to the warehouse or customer.
Rail Freight vs Road Transport
| Rail Freight | Road Transport |
|---|---|
| Ideal for bulk cargo | Ideal for local deliveries |
| Lower cost for long distances | Door-to-door flexibility |
| Large shipment capacity | Suitable for smaller loads |
| Lower emissions | Faster for short-distance transport |
| Reliable schedules | Greater route flexibility |
Rail Freight Rates
The cost of rail freight transportation depends on several factors, including:
- Shipment weight
- Cargo volume
- Container type
- Transportation distance
- Loading requirements
- Destination
- Type of goods
For large industrial shipments, rail freight is often more cost-effective than road transport while offering greater capacity and improved operational efficiency.
There is no published public tariff: rates are quoted individually on request through Etihad Rail and its logistics partners.
The Future of Freight Rail in the UAE
The UAE continues investing in railway infrastructure to strengthen its position as a global logistics hub. The expansion of Etihad Rail Freight will increase cargo capacity, improve connections between ports and industrial zones, and support future cross-border transportation through the GCC Railway network.
Hafeet Rail (UAE – Oman)
A 238 km line from Sohar Port (Oman) to Abu Dhabi via Al Ain and Al Buraimi, built by Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala. Construction has been under way since 2024.
GCC Railway
The Gulf railway, about 2,177 km long, is planned to link the six GCC states, with a 2030 target. The Etihad Rail network already reaches the Saudi border at Al Ghuwaifat.
As freight rail services continue to grow, businesses across the Emirates will benefit from faster, more sustainable, and more efficient cargo transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Etihad Rail Freight?
Etihad Rail Freight is the UAE’s national railway cargo network that transports commercial goods between ports, industrial areas, logistics centers, and manufacturing facilities across the country.
What goods can be transported by rail?
Freight trains transport shipping containers, construction materials, industrial products, machinery, steel, cement, chemicals, consumer goods, and other commercial cargo.
Is rail freight cheaper than road transport?
For long-distance and high-volume shipments, rail freight is often more economical than trucking while providing reliable delivery schedules and greater cargo capacity.
Does the UAE railway connect with other GCC countries?
The UAE railway has been designed to integrate with the future GCC Railway network, which will support cross-border cargo transportation throughout the Gulf region. The first international link will be Hafeet Rail to Oman, currently under construction.
Why is rail freight important?
Rail freight improves logistics efficiency, reduces transportation costs for bulk cargo, lowers emissions, decreases road congestion, and supports sustainable economic growth.
When did freight trains start running in the UAE?
The first 264 km section has carried sulphur since 2016. Since February 2023, freight trains have operated across the full network of about 900 km, linking all seven emirates.
Do freight and passenger trains share the same network?
Yes. Etihad Rail passenger trains use the same national network and, since 2026, run between Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Dhaid and Fujairah.
Information is current as of October 2026. Efficiency figures are as reported by the operator.