Türkiye, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are planning to build a new railway line that could connect the Gulf region to Europe via rail. A feasibility study should be done by the end of the year, after which construction could take four to five years.
Earlier in April, Turkish, Syrian and Jordanian delegations met in Amman, Jordan, to discuss building the new railway. The idea is that a new line could connect Southern Europe with the Gulf region directly via Saudi Arabia.
The latter already has a railway connection to the border with Jordan, but that is where the line ends. Jordan will therefore have to build a railway across the country’s desert to put those ambitions into practice.
Saudi Arabia was not publicly part of the conversation, until its transport minister announced earlier this week that a feasibility study is due for completion by the end of 2026. The minister stated that the project would “enhance regional integration, support trade, and develop a sustainable land transport system between the countries of the region.”
Overland diversification
The Saudis will be keen to diversify away from Gulf logistics, especially in light of the ongoing maritime blockade. It has sought to develop alternative domestic routes to the Red Sea. The kingdom may also find a long-term alternative in rail freight to Europe.
Türkiye is currently in the process of securing financing for INRAIL, a rail project that will grow throughput capacity across the Bosphorus from 3 million tonnes annually to 50 million tonnes. This will help boost rail freight operations to Europe.
At the same time, Ankara has already completed rail renovations on a key corridor along the Syrian border. This railway leads towards Iraq, where the Development Road may also provide a direct connection from the Gulf to Europe.