PORTS-

AD Ports taps China’s Yantai to streamline vehicle trade: UAE-based port operator AD Ports Group has partnered with China’s state-owned port operator SPG Yantai Port to develop green automotive business parks, according to a statement. Under the agreement, the two will explore developing an integrated bilateral terminal and auto hub network — linking AD Ports Group’s automotive terminals and hubs within the UAE with Yantai’s Asia-Pacific Green Automotive Circular Economy Industrial Park.

The rationale: The partnership aims to increase vehicle trade between Asia and the Middle East, focusing on sustainable solutions to streamline operational efficiency and delivery. The move seeks to establish an efficient supply chain for both new and second-hand vehicles between the two countries.

RAIL-

#1- Hafeet Rail to link Al Ain Airport with Oman: Abu Dhabi Airports signed an agreement with Hafeet Rail, the joint venture overseeing the UAE-Oman rail project, to establish a corridor connecting Al Ain International Airport with Sohar in Oman for both passenger and cargo traffic, according to a press release. The new end-to-end service will feature rail haulage, port operations, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery. The launch date was not disclosed.

I.CYMI: The UAE-Oman Hafeet Rail connection is a USD 2.5 bn project announced back in 2022 and backed by Mubadala, Etihad Rail, and Oman’s Asyad Group. The project has already secured contractors for the establishment of new rail logistics facilities and the supply of high-performance freight wagons earlier this year, as well as freight uptake agreements for the transportation of raw materials.

#2- Etihad Rail, Turkmenistan ink MoU to boost railway cooperation: Etihad Rail signed an MoU with Turkmenistan’s Railway Transport Ministry to boost cooperation in railway transport, Wam reports. The MoU, inked on the sidelines of the Global Rail event, will see both sides collaborate on testing new technologies for the rail sector, as well as conducting feasibility studies.

#3- Masdar + Etihad Rail partner on decarbonized transport solutions: Renewables giant Masdar and the UAE’s national railway operator Etihad Rail inked an MoU to develop transport and logistics solutions for the green hydrogen value chain across the UAE, state news agency Wam reports. Under the agreement, the two entities will look into transport feedstocks, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and sustainable aviation fuel using Etihad Rail’s network.

#4- Etihad Rail’s project in Jordan could expand its scope: Etihad Rail is considering expanding its rail project in Jordan to include connecting the country’s dry ports with Aqaba industrial port, Zawya reported last week, citing comments by Aqaba Development Corporation CEO Hussein Al Safadi. The USD 2.3 bn project — announced in September 2024 — was primarily conceived to transport a total of 16 mn tons of phosphate and potash products per year from Al-Shidiya and Ghor es-Safi mining regions to Aqaba port.

The project will also depend on private funding sources, similar to the company’s Oman-UAE venture, Etihad Rail CEO Shadi Malak reportedly said. Construction tenders for the railway are set to be issued by early 2026, with operations scheduled to begin by 2030.

Tags: