Up to 50% of the Gulf Railway Completed, Full Operation by End of 2030

RIYADH: Up to 50% percent of the Gulf Railway project, spanning 1,700 km, has been completed, with the project scheduled to be fully operational by December 2030, according to the Director General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Railways Authority, Mohammad Al-Shabrami, who spoke to Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper.

Al-Shabrami stated: “This project is one of the most prominent joint infrastructure projects among the GCC countries, given its pivotal role in enhancing economic integration and strengthening supply chains between member states.”

He explained that the project aims to strengthen ties between GCC countries, localize industries related to the railway sector, and create new job opportunities in partnership with representatives of member states and national companies.

The director general of the authority indicated that the railway will integrate with the air, land, and sea transport systems, providing an alternative means of transport that will contribute to reducing reliance on trucks, positively impacting the environment by lowering emissions.

According to approved studies, the project is expected to increase passenger traffic from 6 million in 2030 to over 8 million by 2045.

Freight traffic is also projected to rise from 200 million tonnes in 2030 to 271 million tonnes in 2045, reflecting the significant logistical impact of the initiative on intra-regional trade.

Al-Shabrami emphasized that the undertaking is being implemented through the collaborative efforts of partners, including representatives from member states and national companies in each country. He stressed that this cooperation reflects the GCC countries’ commitment to completing a strategic project that will enhance the region's global economic standing.