{
  "id": 2994558,
  "title": "UAE expands ports, rail and logistics network as non-oil foreign trade hits record $527bn",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/uae-expands-ports-rail-and-logistics-network-as-non-oil-foreign-trade",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-24T10:00:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hellenic Shipping News",
    "slug": "hellenic-shipping-news",
    "url": "https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/uae-expands-ports-rail-and-logistics-network-as-non-oil-foreign-trade-hits-record-527bn/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is enhancing its logistics network, which includes ports, railways, airports, roads and free zones, to become a centralized platform for international trade and supply chains. Recent expansions in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah are boosting cargo capacity and creating alternative shipping routes. Non-oil foreign trade in the UAE hit a record AED1.937tn ($527.3bn) in the first half of 2026. The logistics strategy in the UAE now connects manufacturing, storage, and transportation facilities, allowing for seamless movement, storage, rerouting, and re-export of cargo across multiple transport modes. Recent developments include the Sharjah Ports, Customs, and Free Zones Authority collaborating with Oman Customs to establish a logistics corridor connecting Sharjah's coastal ports with Oman's ports, including Khorfakkan, Sohar, Duqm, and Salalah. Sharjah is also developing the Al Dhaid Logistics Complex, a 16-million-square-foot facility with an initial capacity of 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Hafeet Rail has signed contracts to build railway facilities in Oman, with Etihad Rail already handling 1.8 million tonnes of sulphur, over 4 million tonnes of aggregates, and 129,000 containers in 2026. Abu Dhabi is expanding air freight capacity through the Al Falah Logistics Park in the 8.3-million-square-meter Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone, and the East Midfield cargo terminal, expected to handle 1.5 million tonnes per year by 2027. Fujairah's logistics infrastructure has provided an alternative route during regional disruptions, with Fujairah Terminals managing over 70,000 TEUs and 100 cargo vessels. Further development is planned at Rugeilat Port and Dibba Al Fujairah. Dubai's logistics infrastructure links the Jebel Ali Port with Al Maktoum International Airport through the Dubai Logistics Corridor, enabling seamless movement between maritime and aviation networks. The logistics corridor also attracted AED854 million ($232.5 million) in new investments during the first quarter of 2026, boosting facilities across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and food production. The UAE's physical infrastructure is complemented by digital tracking and logistics platforms to facilitate cargo rerouting and emergency coordination.",
  "summary": "The UAE is expanding an integrated logistics network spanning ports, railways, airports, roads and free zones as it strengthens its position as an end-to-end platform for global trade and supply chains. New infrastructure and cross-border links in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah are increasing cargo capacity and providing alternative routes, while UAE non-oil foreign ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arabian Business",
        "title": "UAE expands ports, rail and logistics network as non-oil foreign trade hits record $527bn",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/uae-expands-ports-rail-and-logistics-network-as-non-oil-foreign-trade",
        "published": "2026-08-21T19:07:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}