Abu Dhabi · 8 locations
Industrial areas and free zones in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi suits operations tied to Khalifa Port, the economic zones and national rail. KEZAD is nearly full, so plan early.
- Locations
- 8, 5 free zones
- Ports
- Khalifa Port, Zayed Port (Mina Zayed), Musaffah Port
- Airports
- Zayed International Airport (AUH), Al Ain International Airport (AAN)
A port that keeps expanding
Khalifa Port handles around 10.5 million TEU. An AED 420 million expansion takes the CMA terminal to 2.7 million TEU by 2028.
Source: AD Ports, Nov 2025
Little space in the main zones
KEZAD is 97 to 98% occupied. Start early, or have a building planned around your brief.
Source: Knight Frank via Enterprise AM, Feb 2026; C&W, Oct 2025
Linked by national rail
Etihad Rail moved 148,000 containers in 2025 and targets 60 million tonnes a year by 2030. That gives heavy, long-distance freight an option beyond trucks.
Source: AGBI, Mar 2026; The National, Oct 2025
A national push for industry
UAE industrial GDP reached AED 205 billion in 2023. The Operation 300bn target is AED 300 billion by 2031.
Source: Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dec 2024
Locations in Abu Dhabi
- KEZAD Al Taweelah (incl. Al Ma’mourah)Free zone and mainland · KEZAD Group (AD Ports)KEZAD’s industrial and logistics area next to Khalifa Port, halfway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It takes in the Al Ma’mourah logistics parks (KEZAD Area A) and the Khalifa Industrial Zone, where Emirates Global Aluminium runs its Al Taweelah smelter.
- KEZAD Musaffah (ICAD)Free zone · KEZAD Group (AD Ports)The Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), run by KEZAD in Musaffah. It is a base for heavy and light manufacturing and, since September 2026, has a direct Etihad Rail freight service from Fujairah Terminals with customs clearance on site.
- Mussafah Industrial AreaMainlandAbu Dhabi’s main mainland industrial district, opposite the island city. In February 2026 the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) began a study to redevelop Mussafah and strengthen its role as an industrial and investment hub.
- KEZAD Al Ain (Al Ain Industrial City)Free zone · KEZAD Group (AD Ports)KEZAD’s location in Al Ain, at Al Ain Industrial City. Recent projects include indoor farming, a microalgae plant and a private warehousing park.
- Al Ain Industrial AreaMainlandAl Ain’s established industrial district, inside the city.
- Abu Dhabi Airports Free ZoneFree zone · Abu Dhabi AirportsThe free zone of Abu Dhabi Airports, wholly owned by ADQ. Its main hub at Zayed International Airport has offices, warehouses and cargo facilities, and it also runs locations at Al Bateen Executive Airport and Al Ain International Airport.
- Masdar City Free ZoneFree zone · MasdarMasdar City is a sustainable urban community next to Zayed International Airport, with Masdar City Free Zone at its core. The free zone is built around offices and research in clean energy, AI, life sciences and smart mobility.
- Ruwais Industrial ComplexMainland · ADNOCADNOC’s refining, petrochemicals and gas complex at Al Ruwais Industrial City in the Al Dhafra region. ADNOC Refining, ADNOC Gas Processing, Borouge, Fertil and the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone are based here.