Al Masaood Automobiles and Etihad Rail Freight have successfully completed the first-ever rail transport of finished passenger vehicles for an automotive dealership in the UAE.
The shipment involved Nissan passenger vehicles transported from ports on the eastern coast in Fujairah to the dry port at Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), demonstrating a new integrated model for moving finished vehicles across the country.
Al Masaood Automobiles, the authorized distributor of Nissan, INFINITI, and Renault in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Region, and Al Dhafra Region, partnered with Etihad Rail Freight to execute the operation, becoming the first automotive dealership in the UAE to adopt rail-based transport for finished vehicles.
The development highlights the continued expansion of Etihad Rail Freight beyond bulk commodities into high-value and diversified cargo, reinforcing the growing role of rail in modern, end-to-end supply chains.
The initiative also enhances efficiency, predictability, and delivery timelines by enabling seamless movement of vehicles from port to destination.
Omar Alsebeyi, CEO-Etihad Rail Freight
“This milestone demonstrates exactly what rail freight is designed to do: offer a reliable, predictable, and scalable solution that integrates seamlessly into existing supply chains. The UAE’s national rail network was built to strengthen the resilience and efficiency of the country’s logistics sector, and today we are seeing that ambition translate into real-world impact. We look forward to building on this partnership and enabling more businesses across the UAE to benefit from rail.”
Irfan Tansel, CEO of Al Masaood Automobiles, stated that, “Every part of the customer journey matters, including how reliably and efficiently a vehicle reaches its owner. This initiative reflects the steps we are taking behind the scenes to strengthen that experience. We are proud to be the first automotive dealer in the UAE to work with Etihad Rail Freight on transporting finished vehicles. It is a strong example of what can be achieved when national infrastructure and private sector capabilities come together with a shared focus on progress and long-term value.”
Beyond operational gains, the initiative also supports the UAE’s sustainability agenda by offering a lower-emission alternative to road freight. It aligns with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, contributing to efforts to decarbonize the logistics and automotive sectors.
