Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE’s national freight railway has taken more than 500,000 truck trips off the roads in 2024, significantly easing congestion and improving safety, Adhraa Almansoori, Director of Public Policy and Sustainability at Etihad Rail, told Aletihad.
Etihad Rail’s freight network, launched in 2023, now stretches 900km from the Saudi border at Ghuwaifat to the Port of Fujairah, linking major industrial and maritime hubs including Jebel Ali and Khalifa Port.
Each train in Etihad Rail’s freight network carries the equivalent of 300 trucks, Almansoori said in an interview with Aletihad at Global Rail 2025.
The company’s operations are already transforming the logistics landscape by cutting emissions and making supply chains more efficient.
Almansoori pointed out that this national project is central to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy.
“By 2050, rail transport will reduce 21% of emissions from the land transport sector, equivalent to 8.2 million tonnes annually,” she said, adding that the network’s ESG strategy and decarbonisation roadmap are designed to exceed current targets.
To measure its impact, Etihad Rail has introduced a carbon reduction certificate for customers, showing the emissions avoided by using rail instead of trucks.
Almansoori noted that some clients reported savings of up to 80% last year, with sustainability credentials becoming a deciding factor in business partnerships.
“Sustainability is no longer a preference, it’s a requirement. Even financing is tied to it, as we tap green finance to fund future projects,” she said.
Green Investments
Etihad Rail is also investing in innovative technologies to further green its operations, according to Almansoori.
The company has begun solarising freight terminals, starting with Ghuwaifat on the Saudi border, and is studying the potential for hydrogen-powered and electric handling equipment.
It is also aligning with green-certified suppliers to decarbonise its wider logistics ecosystem, including first- and last-mile transport.
Social Impact
The network’s expansion is expected to bring broader social benefits. Amid rapid population growth and congestion challenges, Almansoori argued that rail could help improve air quality and road safety while offering families a sustainable alternative once passenger services launch in 2026.
“With growing awareness of sustainability among UAE communities, we believe the shift to rail will happen organically,” Almansoori said.
Passenger trains will run at speeds of up to 200 kmph, linking 11 cities across the Emirates, with a high-speed line set to cut Abu Dhabi-Dubai trips to just 30 minutes.
