A rail link proposal is being considered between Duqm, an industrial hub on Oman's southeastern coast, and the Saudi capital Riyadh. This rail link is also intended to connect a major economic zone in the early stages of development in Al Dhahirah Governorate, Sultanate of Oman.
During the 44th session of the GCC Supreme Council, which commenced in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, rail-based interconnectivity between the GCC states will be one of the topics for discussion. The summit aims to provide fresh momentum to the integration of rail-based systems among the six member countries, in line with the bloc's goals of enhancing trade and economic ties.
The deliberations during the summit will build upon recent efforts to realize the ambitious "Gulf Railway" project, estimated to cost $15 billion and span a total distance of 2177 kilometers. The establishment of the GCC Railway Authority last year demonstrates the commitment to operationalize the GCC-wide network by December 2030.
Currently, a GCC Railway Project Committee, comprising representatives from the transport ministries of the Gulf states, is engaged in discussions regarding a land transport strategy and a unified law for international land transport across their borders.
The Gulf Railway project is currently progressing amidst an increase in bilateral railway initiatives among neighboring countries in the GCC. One notable collaboration is between Oman and Saudi Arabia, as they plan to establish a railway connecting Duqm with Riyadh to serve the Economic Zone in Al Dhahirah Governorate (EZAD). This development, covering an area of 388 sq km, will be located just 20 km from the border crossing in The Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khali) between Oman and Saudi Arabia. EZAD aims to capitalize on its close proximity to the vast Saudi market, targeting various sectors such as manufacturing, mining, oilfield, logistics, renewable energy, and more.
Khamis bin Mohammed al Shamakhi, the Under-Secretary for Transport at Oman's Ministry of Transport (MTCIT), confirmed in an interview earlier this year that both countries are exploring the possibilities of constructing a railway line linking Duqm to Riyadh through the border crossing in Ibri.
Another example of a bilateral railway project is the Oman-Etihad Rail, which was initiated by Oman and the UAE in September 2022. This project aims to establish a 303km railway network connecting the industrial port city of Suhar with Abu Dhabi. It is expected to be operational within five years from the commencement of construction, catering to both freight and passenger travel.
