UAE's Etihad Rail Connects Vital Freight Terminal to Network’s Main Line

The new line extends from the borders of Saudi Arabia to the port of Fujairah, on the eastern coast, passing through key manufacturing hubs and urban centers. (WAM)
The new line extends from the borders of Saudi Arabia to the port of Fujairah, on the eastern coast, passing through key manufacturing hubs and urban centers. (WAM)
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UAE's Etihad Rail Connects Vital Freight Terminal to Network’s Main Line

The new line extends from the borders of Saudi Arabia to the port of Fujairah, on the eastern coast, passing through key manufacturing hubs and urban centers. (WAM)
The new line extends from the borders of Saudi Arabia to the port of Fujairah, on the eastern coast, passing through key manufacturing hubs and urban centers. (WAM)

UAE's Etihad Rail said it successfully completed the connection process between the railway freight terminal at the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), the largest inland freight railway terminal in the country, and the UAE National Rail Network.

This achievement comes in line with the goals of the UAE Railway Program, which is the largest integrated system for transporting goods and passengers across the country.

The program aims to connect the country’s key centers of industry and production, open new trade routes and facilitate population movement, state new agency WAM reported.

Upon the completion of Stage Two of the UAE National Rail Network, Etihad Rail will provide logistics solutions from the railway terminal, which is located at the heart of the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, burgeoning hub of industrial companies in the area.

Executive Director of Rail Relations Sector at Etihad Rail Mohammed Al Marzouqi said: "Connecting the railway freight terminal at ICAD with Etihad Rail’s main line ensures our readiness to start providing our clients with logistics solutions by linking Abu Dhabi with various industrial centers and import and export points.:

"Our network will have a positive impact on end users, as it will contribute to reducing trucks on roads and bring down their maintenance costs," he added.

Etihad Rail is constructing the largest inland railway freight terminal in the UAE in ICAD, spanning just over 2.7 million square feet, the new railway freight terminal at will comprise over 22 buildings and major structures to support operations, processing up to nine trains each day.

It will facilitate the distribution of goods across the countries of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and UAE.

The development of the ICAD railway freight terminal features as a part of Stage Two of the UAE’s national railway network.

The historic project extends from Al on the borders of Saudi Arabia to the emirate of Fujairah, on the eastern coast. Upon completion, Stage Two of the GCC’s railway network will integrate the nation’s ports, manufacturing hubs, and urban centres.



GASTAT: Saudi Non-Oil Exports Rose by 13.1% in 2024

General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) logo
General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) logo
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GASTAT: Saudi Non-Oil Exports Rose by 13.1% in 2024

General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) logo
General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) logo

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) said in the 2024 International Trade Statistics Bulletin that there was an 13.1% increase in non-oil exports (including re-exports) compared to 2023.

However, total merchandise exports declined by 4.5% year-on-year, while imports rose by 12.5% in 2024.

According to the bulletin, the ratio of non-oil exports (including re-exports) to imports increased to 35.3% in 2024, up from 35.1% in 2023.

Meanwhile, the share of oil exports in total exports decreased from 77.3% in 2023 to 73.1% in 2024.

The bulletin showed that “chemical industry products” topped the list of non-oil exports, accounting for 25.5% of the total, while “machinery, electrical equipment, and parts” led imports with a 25.3% share.

China remained Saudi Arabia’s top trading partner in merchandise trade, accounting for 15.2% of total Saudi exports in 2024, while imports from China accounted for 23.9% of the Kingdom’s total imports during the same year.