By: Oil & gas Middle east

Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy pioneer, and Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the country’s national railway network, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore new transport solutions for the UAE’s emerging green hydrogen industry.

The partnership will evaluate how Etihad Rail’s growing national network can be leveraged to transport materials and products along the green hydrogen value chain — from feedstocks to end products, including hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The signing took place during the Global Rail Transport and Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, with His Excellency Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, in attendance. The MoU was signed by Dr Faye Al Hersh, Associate Director of Development at Masdar UAE, and Adhraa Almansoori, Director of Public Policy & Sustainability at Etihad Rail.

H.E. Shadi Malak said the agreement highlights the growing role of rail in building a sustainable, low-carbon economy:

“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.”

Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi noted that the partnership marks an important step toward scaling hydrogen production and distribution:

“This strategic partnership with Etihad Rail moves us closer to being able to deliver green hydrogen and derivative products at an industrial scale to drive energy system transformation and enhance energy security. Through collaborations like this, we can build the green hydrogen value chain, support the UAE’s decarbonisation efforts, and drive sustainable socioeconomic growth.”

Masdar is targeting global leadership in green hydrogen and derivative production by 2030, with investments in commercial-scale projects across multiple markets. Etihad Rail, meanwhile, operates freight services connecting key industrial zones and ports across the UAE, with passenger operations slated to begin in 2026.

This collaboration aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Policy and the UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy 2050, which seek to position the nation as a leading producer and exporter of low-emission hydrogen by 2031 while driving decarbonisation across energy-intensive sectors such as transport, chemicals, and heavy industry.