Kuwait is gearing up to become a vital junction in one of the most ambitious transportation projects in the Gulf—a massive railway network spanning 2,177 kilometers that will link Kuwait City to Muscat, winding through Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE. With the latest contract awarded to Turkish consultancy Proyapi for a design and planning deal worth 2.5 million Kuwaiti dinars (approximately $8.1 million), Kuwait marks a decisive step toward transforming a visionary plan, first sketched out back in 2009, into a tangible regional asset.
This strategic agreement unveils Kuwait’s role as the northern terminus of the Gulf Railway Project. Its segment, stretching 111 kilometers from the bustling hub of Al-Shadadiya—set to welcome a sprawling 2 million-square-meter train station—to Al-Nuwaiseeb at the Saudi border, is more than just tracks on the map. It represents the country’s forward-thinking strategy to invigorate both passenger travel and freight movement across borders.
As the official signatory to the design phase, Kuwait is not only collaborating with Proyapi on engineering studies, soil testing, route mapping, and the preparation of tender documents but is also laying the groundwork for the subsequent bidding and construction stages. The project’s robust framework is designed to support the seamless movement of goods and people, promising to reduce travel times significantly while fostering a vibrant network of cultural and economic exchange.
This transformative infrastructure project arrives at an exciting juncture, with portions already underway in the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The recently launched Hafeet Rail, which connects Sohar Port in Oman with Abu Dhabi over 238 kilometers, exemplifies the region’s pace-setting commitment. In a thrilling development, passenger trains on this line are expected to whisk travelers between Sohar and Abu Dhabi in just 100 minutes—a statistic that hints at the immense potential of a unified GCC transport network.
Leaders and officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council have repeatedly stressed the project’s far-reaching impact. Noura Al-Mashaan, Kuwait’s Public Works Minister, and other influential figures have emphasized the railway’s potential to enhance regional trade, promote tourism, and ultimately establish a strong economic bond among GCC nations.
As Kuwait embarks on this transformative journey, the eyes of the Gulf—and indeed the world—are fixed on a future where efficient, high-speed rail travel redefines connectivity in the region, promising a new chapter of prosperity and regional unity.
