The member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council will sign an agreement on Sunday in the capital of Bahrain, Manama, to establish a railway network for passengers and freight. This action is part of a larger project that was approved in 2009, aiming to connect six countries—Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait—through a shared railway network by 2030.
Details of the Agreement and Its Objectives
The Gulf Cooperation Council has described this agreement as a strategic step to strengthen economic and commercial integration among member countries. The main objective of this project is to create safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly transportation methods for passengers and goods. The council has stated that the agreement includes the implementation of the project and its operation according to an action plan and timeline agreed upon by the member countries.
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The agreement also addresses the standardization of technical and operational specifications to ensure the connectivity of railway networks and meet safety requirements and rail interoperability among member countries. This project will also include defining the responsibilities of member countries and enhancing coordination with the Arab Railway Organization of the Gulf Cooperation Council to oversee the implementation stages and address potential obstacles during the project's execution.
Background and Implementation Process of the Project
The background of this project dates back to December 2009, when the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council approved the establishment of a railway network to connect the six member countries. In December 2021, this council decided to establish the Arab Railway Organization of the Gulf Cooperation Council to coordinate the implementation of this project and ensure its compatibility with the national networks of the member countries.
The Council of Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council set the end of 2030 as the specific date for the full operation of this network, and it was stipulated that the connecting lines between neighboring countries would be operational as soon as construction operations were completed. Additionally, in December 2025, a comprehensive agreement related to the railway project was approved, paving the way for the completion of necessary actions among the member countries.
According to "Mohammed Al-Shabrami," Director General of the Arab Railway Organization of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the overall progress of this project has exceeded 50 percent, and work to complete it continues according to the agreed timeline. The designed railway network is such that it allows passenger trains to travel at a maximum speed of 200 kilometers per hour and freight trains at a speed between 80 and 120 kilometers per hour.
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