Al Masaood Automobiles and Etihad Rail Freight have completed the UAE’s inaugural rail shipment of finished passenger vehicles for an automotive dealership, underlining a major step forward in the country’s logistics landscape.
The milestone, significant national first for the UAE, involved transporting Nissan passenger cars from eastern seaports to the dry port at the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), introducing a new model for moving goods efficiently across the Emirates.
Al Masaood first UAE dealer to use railway delivery
Al Masaood Automobiles — the authorised distributor for Nissan, INFINITI and Renault in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Al Dhafra region — partnered with Etihad Rail Freight, becoming the first dealer in the UAE to use rail for delivering finished vehicles.
The development highlights Etihad Rail Freight’s continued move beyond bulk commodities into higher-value and more diverse cargo, while demonstrating how rail can be integrated into modern, end-to-end supply chains.
By enabling a seamless journey from port to inland destination, the rail shipment improves efficiency, predictability and delivery times. In an industry where timing and reliability are essential, the approach enhances the customer experience by ensuring vehicles arrive without unnecessary delay.
Focus on scalable logistics solutions
Irfan Tansel, CEO of Al Masaood Automobiles, said: “Every part of the customer journey matters, including how reliably and efficiently a vehicle reaches its owner. This initiative reflects the steps we are taking behind the scenes to strengthen that experience.
“We are proud to be the first automotive dealer in the UAE to work with Etihad Rail Freight on transporting finished vehicles. It is a strong example of what can be achieved when national infrastructure and private sector capabilities come together with a shared focus on progress and long-term value.”
Omar Alsebeyi, CEO of Etihad Rail Freight, said: “This milestone demonstrates exactly what rail freight is designed to do: offer a reliable, predictable, and scalable solution that integrates seamlessly into existing supply chains. The UAE’s national rail network was built to strengthen the resilience and efficiency of the country’s logistics sector, and today we are seeing that ambition translate into real-world impact. We look forward to building on this partnership and enabling more businesses across the UAE to benefit from rail.”
Supporting sustainable logistics
Beyond operational gains, the initiative also supports more sustainable logistics. Rail transport produces lower emissions than traditional road freight, contributing to efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the automotive supply chain. The move aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and broader ambitions to decarbonise key sectors.
More widely, the achievement reflects the strength of the UAE’s integrated infrastructure, where public and private collaboration is driving practical, forward-looking solutions and supporting long-term economic growth.
