Saudi Arabia has approved the $25bn Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) railway project, which will link the six GCC countries through a 2,117km railway network.

The project, in which trains will run at speeds of up to 350km/h, is set to boost regional travel and trade ties between the six countries.

The rail link will start in Kuwait and pass by the eastern Saudi city of Dammam, connecting with Bahrain through a bridge parallel to King Fahd Causeway before reaching Qatar via Salwa, while another line will connect the Kingdom with the UAE through Bathaa.

The railway line will also run through Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain to reach Oman through Sahar and Muscat, and connect Qatar and Bahrain through a bridge.

The land acquisition has been estimated to be $3.1bn and the cost of purchasing locomotives is pegged at $1.8bn.

Upon completion of engineering studies, work on the project will start by next year and is expected to be complete by 2017.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.