Investment in Multimodal Transport
There are significant funding that is being allocated for multimodal transport solutions that utilize sea, air, and land transport. For instance, the Etihad Rail project, a strategic initiative intending to connect the major industrial and logistics hubs around the region. The efficiencies of integrated transport solutions provide benefits such as shorter transit times, less cost and improved logistics efficiency.
Shadi Malak, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Rail said, “This collaboration with Masdar underscores the role of rail as the backbone of sustainable logistics in the UAE. Our network will provide the critical infrastructure to move green hydrogen and its derivatives at scale, supporting innovation, energy security, and long-term economic growth. Through this partnership, Etihad Rail is reinforcing its commitment to building strategic partnerships that accelerate the energy transition."
The UAE government has guided strategic economic initiative such as Vision 2021 and UAE Centennial 2071 that highlight the development of logistics as an engine of sustainable development. Regulatory reforms improved custom procedures and improved incentives for logistics providers, improved efficiencies and competitiveness. Infrastructure investments in airport and port development illustrate Government's commitment to expanding logistics capacity. Etihad Rail, Aramex, and FedEx are actively involved in these multimodal initiatives, improving transport efficiency and linking the UAE with international markets.
Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, states that, “The integration of multimodal transport holds great importance as a main driver of socio-economic prosperity. We strongly believe that with proper transport infrastructure and cost-effective international transport routes, we can see a substantial increase in the trade flow and cross-border movement of people.”