Etihad Rail has revealed it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones (ZonesCorp) to establish a railway and logistics hub within Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD).
The facility will be the closest logistics point to the Abu Dhabi and serve the industrial entities in ZonesCorp’ ICAD and Mussafah while also forming a point of departure for goods bound for Saudi Arabia.
Its construction will be part of ZonesCorps 6 million sqm Abu Dhabi Logistics City Development Project.
A signing ceremony formalising the MoU was attended by His Highness Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Transport and chairman of Etihad Rail, and H.E. Falah Mohammad Al Ahbabi, chairman of the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities, chairman of the Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones with the agreement signed by Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, and Saeed Eisa Mohammed Al Khyeli, director-general of ZonesCorp.
The agreement outlines the collaboration between the two parties to form a joint leadership team and qualified task forces to follow up the progress and achievement of the project, as well as ensuring the completion of operational processes in accordance with the specified completion date, optimal performance methodologies and the relevant policies, the organisations said in a statement.
This agreement contributes to achieving our vision to connect cities and industries with a secure and sustainable railway network,” said H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed Al Nahyan. “It is also part of our mission to find economic logistics solutions for the rail network to connect the entire UAE and provide outstanding services to industries and society. ZonesCorp is a key partner for Etihad Rail as it is the largest developer and operator of purpose-built industrial zones in the UAE and is playing a leading role in developing the nations industrial sector.
His highness added: This agreement reinforces our efforts by which Etihad Rail seeks to support alternative and new industries through establishing a new transport system that enhances the existing infrastructure and contributes to improving freight transport. It also promotes the UAE’s leading role in shipping traffic, taking advantage of its geographical and economic position as a global logistics hub.”
Etihad Rail is currently preparing Stage Two of its network. Once completed it will extend 605km from Ghuweifat on the UAEs border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the east coast, through ICAD, Khalifa Port, Jebel Ali and Khor Fakkan.
H.E. Falah Mohammad Al Ahbabi said Etihad Rails logistic facility contributes to the integration of Abu Dhabi Logistics City, “in order to provide a competitive environment for investment projects in the Higher Corporations economic zones and reduce operational costs for investors.
Constructing a logistics facility and railway track, along with the necessary infrastructure, in Abu Dhabi Industrial City (ICAD) will contribute to consolidating logistics operations in one place, which will bring further growth in the process of handling containers and cargos, as well as logistics services. This will help Abu Dhabi to consolidate its established position on the global trade map, Al Ahbabi said.
