![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QCDMESLKA5EE3FKKGPSOKUGV2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=797d99ba500f9ba836a7ed025067a30baca5bda4700d0782d938eb3b6fa93fa4&width=400&height=225)
The new marine bridge will form an integral part of the UAE-wide freight network once it becomes operational. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3K7PJRHDFFEVRNAL7UVTQTSOQU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b07d07d83fe8cfcacb161232351e196ea89258053edae5f55a9a64552694e682&width=400&height=225)
The UAE's first marine rail bridge at Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LS4IBISU7BBMPM6CRNDXSC7FW4.jpg?smart=true&auth=760df0d05fa0449bf45aede032cc4f32cc5da297f254e87dc1ad607875575984&width=400&height=225)
The bridge stretches a kilometre across the Arabian Gulf and connects Abu Dhabi’s sprawling Khalifa Port to the emirate's mainland. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4OLOOEOAAZF2FCD5IMWKRHTPZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=effbaaf0cac8d3361df201888aa551d217ab847d17f9181186382701215e2dbc&width=400&height=225)
Adriaan Wolhuter, director of engineering at Etihad Rail, says it took a lot of planning and detailed design. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OYOD2EAOC5AJZMJOS5J2C4D6NI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c2a04ade6ecb57f23965460124f95688291d0ec19651ebb690b4ae792510aa1d&width=400&height=225)
An Etihad Rail engine. Photo: Etihad Rail
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Etihad Rail's freight service aims to cut congestion on the UAE's roads. Photo: Etihad Rail
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/663YOPTNAVDYFJAQRSUY3B7JIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d3915a382a75775336d8d9d92b3270069606714d9108e6e00e7c3ebd41b9030&width=400&height=225)
Every fully loaded freight train that passes over the bridge could take up to 300 lorries off the roads. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PXNGEEYMJ5FRBOXAAZMGOSJD3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=15b41f82dac0fd168d75c28035e4f0544dc68bcd8f160f4d218ba78bec53c00b&width=400&height=225)
The bridge passes over the Arabian Gulf. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4K4ZSMQXAJ36BPS2U4UOMB54JI.jpg?smart=true&auth=27c6c067d48be819725c6ec1a9618a4f275e2801954116d5ed276990abb1d181&width=400&height=225)
A rendering of some of Etihad Rail's freight services. Trains from Khalifa Port will chiefly carry shipping containers. Photo: Etihad Rail
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VW4CRJ7FIYOUUHKAKMB7ZIBUBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=54e52902f19e395bbcf64093f20db0481eb4d820bd8b71c204780e385fcb0bb3&width=400&height=225)
Etihad Rail already operates a freight service in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region. Photo: Wam
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QCDMESLKA5EE3FKKGPSOKUGV2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=797d99ba500f9ba836a7ed025067a30baca5bda4700d0782d938eb3b6fa93fa4&width=400&height=225)
The new marine bridge will form an integral part of the UAE-wide freight network once it becomes operational. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3K7PJRHDFFEVRNAL7UVTQTSOQU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b07d07d83fe8cfcacb161232351e196ea89258053edae5f55a9a64552694e682&width=400&height=225)
The UAE's first marine rail bridge at Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LS4IBISU7BBMPM6CRNDXSC7FW4.jpg?smart=true&auth=760df0d05fa0449bf45aede032cc4f32cc5da297f254e87dc1ad607875575984&width=400&height=225)
The bridge stretches a kilometre across the Arabian Gulf and connects Abu Dhabi’s sprawling Khalifa Port to the emirate's mainland. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4OLOOEOAAZF2FCD5IMWKRHTPZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=effbaaf0cac8d3361df201888aa551d217ab847d17f9181186382701215e2dbc&width=400&height=225)
Adriaan Wolhuter, director of engineering at Etihad Rail, says it took a lot of planning and detailed design. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OYOD2EAOC5AJZMJOS5J2C4D6NI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c2a04ade6ecb57f23965460124f95688291d0ec19651ebb690b4ae792510aa1d&width=400&height=225)
An Etihad Rail engine. Photo: Etihad Rail
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XINETGCM25DYZN3L4PR4XLARIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1d3bb74b06cb569c3565d60c9fb80fb1d15d8d95569d9ec2e729f199b0a12023&width=400&height=225)
Etihad Rail's freight service aims to cut congestion on the UAE's roads. Photo: Etihad Rail
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/663YOPTNAVDYFJAQRSUY3B7JIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d3915a382a75775336d8d9d92b3270069606714d9108e6e00e7c3ebd41b9030&width=400&height=225)
Every fully loaded freight train that passes over the bridge could take up to 300 lorries off the roads. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PXNGEEYMJ5FRBOXAAZMGOSJD3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=15b41f82dac0fd168d75c28035e4f0544dc68bcd8f160f4d218ba78bec53c00b&width=400&height=225)
The bridge passes over the Arabian Gulf. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4K4ZSMQXAJ36BPS2U4UOMB54JI.jpg?smart=true&auth=27c6c067d48be819725c6ec1a9618a4f275e2801954116d5ed276990abb1d181&width=400&height=225)
A rendering of some of Etihad Rail's freight services. Trains from Khalifa Port will chiefly carry shipping containers. Photo: Etihad Rail
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VW4CRJ7FIYOUUHKAKMB7ZIBUBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=54e52902f19e395bbcf64093f20db0481eb4d820bd8b71c204780e385fcb0bb3&width=400&height=225)
Etihad Rail already operates a freight service in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region. Photo: Wam
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QCDMESLKA5EE3FKKGPSOKUGV2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=797d99ba500f9ba836a7ed025067a30baca5bda4700d0782d938eb3b6fa93fa4&width=400&height=225)
The new marine bridge will form an integral part of the UAE-wide freight network once it becomes operational. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
First glimpse of Etihad Rail bridge connecting Abu Dhabi to the world
Freight trains that pass over the network's first marine bridge could take up to 300 lorries off the UAE's roads
![John Dennehy](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F6672bef4-f371-4546-90ba-13ad5ded9082.png?smart=true&auth=f1d711e1371a4276112f01656e091484625201f90342530a0b42086db97abdf2&width=70&height=70)
John Dennehy
08 January, 2023
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