UAE ropes in rail for supply chain resilience
- Mar 16
- 2 min read
Etihad Rail Freight has strengthened the resilience of the United Arab Emirates’ supply chains by increasing rail cargo operations during regional disruptions affecting maritime transport. The move comes as major ports such as Jebel Ali face operational pressure due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, creating challenges for ocean freight in the region.
Over a nine day period in early March, Etihad Rail Freight operated more than 100 freight train trips across the UAE’s national railway network. During this time the company transported more than 459,000 tonnes of cargo and over 7,900 containers, ensuring the continuous movement of goods across the country.
The rail network has helped connect key industrial zones, ports and logistics hubs across the UAE, allowing businesses to maintain reliable transport links despite the pressure on maritime routes. Rail freight has therefore become an important alternative mode of transport supporting the country’s domestic cargo flows.
To strengthen the resilience of the logistics system, additional rail corridors have been activated and intermodal capacity has been redirected to East Coast ports including Fujairah and the Al Ghail Dry Port terminal in Ras Al Khaimah. The expansion has also included five additional train services to increase freight capacity and maintain supply chain continuity.
Omar Alsebeyi, CEO of Etihad Rail Freight, said that the UAE national railway network was designed to improve the reliability and resilience of the country’s logistics and supply chain ecosystem. He added that rail freight continues to play a key role in keeping goods moving across the UAE and providing businesses with safe, efficient and dependable transport connectivity.
The recent increase in rail freight activity highlights the growing importance of the UAE’s railway infrastructure as a strategic logistics backbone capable of maintaining cargo flows during regional disruptions.
Image source: freightnews.co.za
