Etihad Rail Completes First Commercial Car Shipment Between Abu Dhabi Ports

Etihad Rail has completed its first commercial automotive freight shipment, transporting vehicles between Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi and the Al Mirfa logistics hub. The operation, conducted for Al-Futtaim Automotive, represents the first time the UAE national rail network has been used to move cars, shifting volume away from traditional road transport. Operational logistics and route The shipment involved transporting vehicles from the major maritime gateway at Khalifa Port to Al Mirfa, located approximately 150 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi city. By utilizing the rail network, the operation reduces the reliance on car carrier trucks, which typically move such inventory across the country’s highway infrastructure. Etihad Rail's freight services are designed to connect the UAE’s principal industrial hubs, rail terminals, and ports. Environmental and logistical impact Each train journey can replace dozens of heavy trucks, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions and easing congestion on major arteries like the E11. Al-Futtaim Automotive, one of the UAE’s largest vehicle distributors, will utilize the rail link to streamline its supply chain from the port to regional…