In a decisive move toward deepened regional integration, the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman—are fast-tracking their transformative rail infrastructure initiatives. With several major segments set to be completed in 2025 and 2026, the GCC Railway Project—also dubbed the Gulf Railway—is emerging as a catalyst for travel, trade, and sustainable development across the Arabian Peninsula.
🔗 Kuwait–Saudi Rail: Kuwait Enters the Race
In April 2025, Kuwait took a major leap forward by awarding a $8 million design contract to Turkish engineering firm Proyapi for a 111-km rail link between Nuwaiseeb at the Saudi border and Al-Shadadiya near Kuwait City. Expected to support both freight and passenger transport, this stretch signals Kuwait’s renewed commitment to the Gulf Railway framework.
🚆 Saudi Arabia’s Twin Tracks: Landbridge & Jubail–Dammam
Saudi Arabia is spearheading two pivotal rail projects:
- Landbridge Project: A 950-km line connecting Jeddah on the Red Sea to Riyadh, streamlining cross‑GCC connectivity
- Jubail–Dammam Line: A 140-km freight corridor inaugurated in April 2024, linking key industrial zones and enhancing the Kingdom’s logistical prowess
🇦🇪 UAE Advances: Etihad Rail & High-Speed Ambition
The UAE’s Etihad Rail network hit another milestone in February 2023 with Stage Two completion—spanning 605 km from Ghuwaifat (Saudi border) to Fujairah Complementing this, a proposed 150-km high-speed line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai aims to slash travel time to just 30 minutes, targeting speeds of up to 350 km/h by 2030
🌐 UAE–Oman Hafeet Rail: First Cross‑Border Rail Link
April 2024 saw Etihad Rail and Oman Rail form the joint venture Hafeet Rail, backed by a $1.5 bn design-and-construct contract. Stretching approximately 303 km from Abu Dhabi through Al Ain to Sohar, this corridor marks the GCC Railway’s first international rail connection, with trains expected to hit speeds of 200 km/h and transport up to 400 passengers in roughly 100 minutes.
🇴🇲 Oman’s Strategic Integration
Oman Rail is actively collaborating on the Hafeet Rail and laying groundwork for its broader domestic network, planning expansions toward Duqm, Salalah, and eventually Muscat and Sohar. The Hafeet venture signifies a watershed moment in Oman’s rail-transit evolution.
🇶🇦 Qatar Rail: Aligning Doha Metro with Gulf Network
Qatar remains diligently focused on meshing its domestic rail—anchored by Doha Metro—with the larger GCC network. Though formal cross-border construction has yet to begin, the intent to link with Saudi Arabia and UAE systems is clear.
🇧🇭 Bahrain–Saudi: Bridging the Gulf
Bahrain is developing rail infrastructure to connect with Saudi Arabia, building new lines to promote commutership and tourism. Linking via causeways and fresh rail alignments, Bahrain will strengthen mobility across its border with the Kingdom .
🚀 Strategic Impact of GCC Railway
1. Seamless Regional Travel: Rapid, reliable rail will reshape passenger movement—reducing travel times between Gulf cities, bolstering tourism, and simplifying cross-border transit.
2. Trade & Commerce Boost: Rail freight will cut logistics costs, ease congestion, and support pivotal industries—from petroleum and manufacturing to ports and agribusiness.
3. Sustainability Drive: With trains replacing trucks, carbon emissions fall and energy efficiency rises—supporting GCC countries’ green targets .
4. Economic Integration: The railway will catalyze cross-border supply chains, tourism clusters, and joint ventures, embedding infrastructural unity into regional growth narratives.
⏳ Road Ahead: 2025–2026 Milestones
Key segments are on track for completion by 2026:
- Kuwait’s Nuwaiseeb–Al‑Shadadiya (design already underway)
- Saudi Arabia’s Landbridge project
- UAE’s Etihad Rail Stage Two operational
- UAE–Oman Hafeet Rail line
- Bahrain–Saudi cross‑border link
- Qatar’s pending network integration
Despite earlier delays attributed to funding and coordination, concerted national momentum and cross-country collaboration are now accelerating progress
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