New UAE rail plan to link ports with inland depots

AD Ports Group and CMA CGM Group have agreed to develop a rail-linked cargo network in the UAE to strengthen multimodal transport across sea, rail and road systems. The plan connects Khalifa Port with inland container depots, dry ports and cargo facilities, allowing containers to move more smoothly between ships, trains and trucks.

The focus is on building a single integrated system where cargo does not stay dependent on one mode of transport. Goods arriving by sea at Khalifa Port will be transferred directly to rail for inland movement, instead of relying mainly on road transport. This is expected to improve cargo flow between ports, industrial zones and regional borders.

The network will also extend connections towards the Northern Emirates and land routes reaching Oman and Saudi Arabia. This creates multiple routing options, so shipments can be shifted between rail and road depending on congestion, demand or delays.

The multimodal setup is aimed at reducing bottlenecks at ports and on highways. Rail is expected to handle bulk and long-distance inland movement, while trucks will manage last-mile delivery. This split can help balance cargo loads across the system.

For logistics users, the change may improve reliability and reduce transit time variability. It also supports more flexible supply chains by linking maritime services directly with inland distribution points through coordinated transport modes.