New Customs Corridor to Connect Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals

• Corridor to connect Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 01 October 2025: His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council, Chairman of Etihad Rail, has witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between  Etihad Rail , Abu Dhabi Customs, Fujairah Customs, AD Ports Group, Fujairah Terminals, and Noatum Logistics to launch a new “Bonded Rail Corridor”, linking Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi with Fujairah Terminals. Announced during the second edition of Global Rail 2025, the landmark initiative represents a strategic advancement in strengthening the efficiency, safety, and integration of rail transport operations across the UAE. 

Through this collaboration, the project will facilitate the seamless, safe, and sustainable movement of goods by establishing a secure customs corridor that links Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals, along with their adjacent free zones, via the UAE’s national railway network. It will also deliver advanced, end-to-end logistics services, ensuring efficiency from origin to destination.

On this occasion, His Highness commended the initiative as a vital step in strengthening the UAE’s logistics and trade infrastructure. He highlighted the pivotal role of the national railway in boosting economic competitiveness, providing safer and more efficient transport solutions, and advancing the nation’s vision for sustainable development.

The Customs Corridor will offer multiple advantages to the railway’s customers, enabling the seamless movement of goods between Khalifa Port, Fujairah Terminals, and their adjacent free zones. The corridor will reduce customs clearance times and facilitate efficient entry and exit through coordinated pre-inquiry procedures, with final customs formalities completed at both locations.
 
In addition, goods transported via Etihad Rail trains will enjoy a competitive advantage with priority clearance within customs systems. The corridor will be implemented across free zones, transit shipments, exports, and the domestic movement of goods between the Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.
Pilot operations for the Customs Corridor are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. Ahead of the launch, Etihad Rail is working closely with relevant authorities and customers to formalise cooperation frameworks, activate the full range of services and benefits for users, and establish performance monitoring mechanisms to ensure the highest standards of efficiency and quality.

Looking ahead, project partners are set to expand the Customs Corridor network to additional train stations, introducing innovative services and competitive advantages through cutting-edge technologies. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s vision to implement pioneering customs procedures, enhance transport safety, and advance the national sustainability agenda. By meeting global standards and supporting international trade routes, the corridor will further cement the UAE’s position as a leading hub for regional and global trade and logistics.