Abu dhabi: Masdar, a global clean energy leader and a pioneer in green hydrogen, and Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore transport solutions for the green hydrogen value chain across the nation.
According to Emirates News Agency, through this collaboration, the companies will assess opportunities to utilise Etihad Rail’s growing national network to enable transportation of feedstocks and products along the green hydrogen and derivatives value chain, including hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, sustainable aviation fuel, and others. The signing ceremony was held during the Global Rail Transport and Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference, taking place this week in Abu Dhabi.
Shadi Malak, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar witnessed the signing, with the signatories being Dr. Faye Al Hersh, Associate Director, Development UAE, Masdar and Adhraa Almansoori, Director Public Policy and Sustainability at Etihad Rail.
Shadi Malak, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Rail, stated that this collaboration underscores the role of rail as the backbone of sustainable logistics in the UAE. The network will provide 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.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer at Masdar, added that this strategic partnership with Etihad Rail moves them closer to delivering green hydrogen and derivative products at an industrial scale to drive energy system transformation and enhance energy security. Through collaborations like this, they aim to build the green hydrogen value chain, support the UAE and decarbonisation efforts, and drive sustainable socioeconomic growth.
Masdar aims to be a leading producer of green hydrogen and its derivatives globally by 2030, developing and investing in commercial projects and building scalable platforms in key markets worldwide. Etihad Rail operates freight services across the UAE, connecting industrial zones and maritime ports, with passenger services set to launch in 2026.
The collaboration aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Policy and the UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy 2050, which aims to strengthen the nation’s position as a producer and supplier of low-emission hydrogen by 2031, and help reduce emissions in hard-to-abate sectors such as land, sea, and air transport, chemicals and fertilisers, and metals, including aluminum, iron, and steel.