According to www.railway.supply, AD Ports Group has launched a multimodal inland logistics network designed to strengthen UAE industrial supply chains by integrating rail-linked dry ports and cargo depots with two major maritime gateways: Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals. The initiative, announced on 23.05.2026, positions these facilities as dual national gateways for industrial cargo movement across the UAE and the wider region.
Anchor Clients and Strategic MoUs
As part of the rollout, AD Ports Group signed Memoranda of Understanding with four UAE manufacturers: Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), EMSTEEL Group, Al Ghurair Iron & Steel, and Tenaris. These companies are designated as anchor industrial cargo clients within the new rail-linked inland logistics structure. The network connects port gateways with KEZAD Group’s Industry City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) — a key inland industrial hub — and additional cargo depots nationwide.
Infrastructure and Operational Design
The system is engineered to facilitate efficient movement of industrial inputs, finished goods, and strategic cargo across the UAE. It links production locations, inland markets, and regional trade corridors through an integrated logistics architecture. According to the source, the network enhances commercial use of the UAE’s national rail infrastructure and improves reliability of inbound feedstock flows while expanding outbound distribution options for finished and semi-finished goods. This includes multiple inland and gateway routes — reducing dependence on single port access points and strengthening corridor resilience.
Leadership Statement and National Alignment
“Through establishing a consolidated, multimodal inland logistics network, anchored by the UAE’s leading industrial champions, we aim to further strengthen the UAE’s industrial logistics backbone. This network will connect Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals to a rail-linked network of inland dry ports and cargo depots, enhancing commercial use of the UAE’s national rail infrastructure. It will also provide improved access to industrial inputs, greater export flexibility, and long-term competitiveness for national supply chains, in line with the vision of our wise leadership.” — Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group
Broader Industry Context
This development aligns with global trends toward rail-integrated intermodal freight infrastructure. In North America, CSX recently integrated on-dock rail service at Southeast Toyota’s $170 million Blount Island Terminal (28.04.2026), while CentrePort Canada opened the Keystone Industrial Park on 13.05.2026. Similarly, a $11.25M MARAD grant (30.04.2026) accelerated development of a 175-acre Pacific Coast intermodal port. These projects collectively reflect intensified investment in inland rail connectivity to decongest ports and support manufacturing-led trade growth — a priority echoed in the UAE’s Industrial Strategy 2031, which targets 25% GDP contribution from industry by 2031.
Source: www.railway.supply
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
