Abu dhabi: H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, and Chairman of Etihad Rail, has witnessed the signing of a preliminary agreement between Etihad Rail, Abu Dhabi Customs, Fujairah Customs, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Fujairah Terminals, and Noatum Logistics to launch a new ‘Bonded Rail Corridor’, linking Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi with Fujairah Terminals.
According to Emirates News Agency, the announcement was made during the second edition of Global Rail 2025. This initiative marks a strategic advancement aimed at enhancing the efficiency, safety, and integration of rail transport operations across the UAE. H.H. Sheikh Theyab highlighted the importance of the Customs Corridor in reinforcing the UAE’s logistics and trade infrastructure, positioning the nation as a gateway for global trade and investment.
The Customs Corridor is expected to offer significant benefits to Etihad Rail’s customers by facilitating the seamless movement of goods between Khalifa Port, Fujairah Terminals, and adjacent free zones. The project aims to reduce customs clearance times and enable efficient entry and exit through coordinated pre-inquiry procedures, with final customs formalities completed at the destination.
The collaboration focuses on ensuring the seamless, safe, and sustainable movement of goods via a secure customs corridor that links major ports and free zones through the UAE’s national railway network. It aims to deliver advanced logistics services, ensuring efficiency from origin to destination, and providing goods transported via Etihad Rail with a competitive advantage through priority clearance within customs systems.
Pilot operations for the Customs Corridor are scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025. Etihad Rail is currently coordinating with relevant authorities and customers to establish cooperation frameworks and monitoring mechanisms to guarantee efficiency and quality standards.
Looking forward, project partners plan to expand the Customs Corridor network to additional train stations, introducing innovative services and competitive advantages through advanced technologies. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s vision to implement pioneering customs procedures, enhance transport safety, and support the national sustainability agenda.
By aligning with global standards and facilitating international trade routes, the corridor will further establish the UAE as a leading hub for regional and global trade and logistics.
