AD Ports’ Noatum Logistics launches new rail service in Middle East

ABU DHABI : Noatum Logistics, part of the AD Ports Group and a major global logistics provider, has unveiled a new rail logistics solution tailored for the Middle East.

The new service is expected to enhance Noatum Logistics’ regional freight forwarding network, including land, sea, and air transport solutions. The new rail shuttle service will connect United Arab Emirates’ Khalifa Port with Fujairah Terminals. Operating on the UAE’s national railway, managed by Etihad Rail, this shuttle service aims to bolster the regional logistics network by adding substantial capacity and offering more options for transporting large volumes of overland freight.

In addition, the service features weekly departures with a single train capable of hauling up to 156 TEUs or 78 FEUs in one direction. It can be adapted to include first and last-mile truck transport, ensuring seamless end-to-end connectivity.

This new rail service promises considerable savings and efficiency compared to traditional road transport, according to AD Ports announcement, as it is highly scalable and suitable for handling large quantities of bulk, containerized, oversized, and general cargo, particularly over medium and long distances. Operating on a dedicated rail network, it avoids traffic delays, road bans, and tolls, leading to cost savings, more reliable delivery times, and improved logistics planning.

Depending on regional demand, Noatum Logistics may expand the number of weekly departures between Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals and potentially introduce new shuttle services across the broader regional rail network.

“The inaugural journey of the first commercial train shuttle from Khalifa Port to Fujairah Terminals is a major milestone for our broader AD Ports Group family, as it delivers on our wise leadership’s vision for boosting the connectivity across the UAE and the broader Middle East region. Serving as a key pillar of our multimodal transport network, the National Railway Network – developed and operated by Etihad Railway –  not only links our strategic seaports and inland logistics assets but also serves as a springboard for our nation’s and the region’s future economic development for generations to come,” commented Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and CEO of AD Ports Group.