The Gulf Railway Authority has confirmed that construction of Middle East’s longest GCC railway project is on track for 2030 completion. The authority also confirmed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are continuing their efforts to complete the monumental railway project. The Ministerial Council has set December 2030 as the final deadline for its completion. Eng. Mohammed bin Fahd Al Shubrmi, Director General of the Gulf Railway Authority, said that the GCC Railway Project is a strategic initiative. It is one that will connect the six member states through a network extending approximately 2,117 kilometers.
Furthermore, he explained that GCC states are currently working in an integrated manner to complete the phases of the project. It also aligns with national railway projects within each country, forming a key component of the regional transportation system. This integration will strengthen connectivity between the GCC and the wider regional environment. The Middle East is making commendable steps in its rail projects such as the Riyadh rail link project in Saudi Arabia taking shape.
Project Factsheet
Significance:
- Strategic multi-billion initiative connecting all six GCC member states.
- Will also establish a 2,117 km regional rail corridor, the longest in the Middle East.
- Expected to enhance trade, improve mobility, and support sustainable regional development.
- Passenger trains to operate at speeds over 200 km/h; freight trains between 80–120 km/h.
Infrastructure:
- Network spans Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.
- Linked to key seaports and logistics hubs to optimize cargo movement.
- Integrated with national railway projects to form a cohesive GCC transport system.
- Designed to improve regional connectivity and reduce reliance on road freight.
Developer/Consortium:
- Spearheaded by the Gulf Railway Authority under the supervision of the GCC Ministerial Council.
- Coordinated implementation across the six member states with support from national railway agencies.
- Overseen by Eng. Mohammed bin Fahd Al Shubrmi, Director General of the Gulf Railway Authority.
Funding/Timeline:
- Estimated completion deadline set for December 2030.
- Countries advancing construction in phases with harmonized standards and timelines.
- Financing drawn from GCC governments, with potential for private partnerships in logistics and operations.
Significance of the GCC Railway Project as Middle East’s Longest
The significance of the GCC railway project extends beyond it being Middle East’s longest railway project. Once complete, the project will connect 6 member states through a network extending over 2,000 kilometers. Fahd Al Shubrmi further highlighted that the project will be linked to seaports and logistics hubs across the member states. This will have a positive impact on the economy by boosting the flow of goods. Furthermore, it will improve mobility and accessibility as it will enable smoother passenger travel among the GCC countries. Al Shubrmi noted that passenger trains will operate at speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour. On the other hand, freight trains will run at speeds ranging between 80 and 120 kilometers per hour. This, he emphasized will enhance the efficiency of the transportation system. It will also support sustainable development across the region.
