Gulf Railway hits 50% completion milestone

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

The Gulf Railway project has reached 50% completion and is scheduled to be operational by December 2030, connecting six GCC countries over a 2,177-kilometer network. This railway aims to boost regional economic integration, reduce road freight emissions, and enhance intra-GCC trade, potentially serving as a key infrastructure for a future customs union.

The Gulf Railway project has reached the halfway mark in its construction, according to Mohammad Al-Shabrami, director general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Railways Authority. The extensive rail network is expected to be fully operational by December 2030.

Initiated in 2009, the 2,177-kilometer railway will connect Kuwait City to Muscat, traversing Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The project is regarded as one of the largest collaborative infrastructure endeavors among GCC countries and is designed to enhance economic integration and strengthen supply chains within the region.

Al-Shabrami highlighted that the railway aims to foster closer cooperation among member states by localizing industries associated with the railway sector and creating new employment opportunities through partnerships with national companies and representatives from each country. The network will support both passenger and freight transportation and is intended to integrate seamlessly with the region’s air, land, and sea transport systems.

One of the project's key goals is to reduce reliance on road freight, particularly trucks, which is expected to have a positive environmental impact by lowering emissions. Studies approved by the GCC anticipate an increase in passenger traffic from 6 million in 2030 to more than 8 million by 2045. Freight movement is projected to grow from 300 million tonnes in 2030 to approximately 371 million tonnes by 2045, underscoring the railway’s potential to significantly enhance logistics and intra-regional trade.

The initiative is seen as strategically important for its potential role as the backbone of a future GCC customs union. Currently, intra-GCC trade accounts for about 10 percent of total exports among member states. The railway is expected to overcome existing connectivity barriers, complement port infrastructure, and improve the region’s overall competitiveness on the global stage.

Al-Shabrami emphasized that the progress achieved so far reflects the strong commitment of GCC countries to complete a project that not only advances economic integration but also strengthens the Gulf’s position in international markets. The collaborative nature of the endeavor, involving various member states and national firms, is viewed as a critical factor in realizing these long-term regional benefits.