Saudi Arabia to increase railway network length to over 8,000 kms

 

Saudi Arabia undertakes major expansion of its railway network  

Saudi Arabia is set to undertake a major expansion of its railway network, with plans to increase its length from approximately 5,300 kilometers to over 8,000 kilometers, according to Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, HE Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser.

Speaking at the Global Aviation and Maritime Transport Summit, the minister confirmed that this 50% expansion forms a core part of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub and raise the sector’s GDP contribution to 10% by 2030.

Connecting the Kingdom: Rail as a Growth Catalyst

The upcoming development will add around 2,700 kilometers of new track, linking industrial zones, economic cities, ports, airports, and logistics hubs. These new connections will support both freight and passenger transportation at scale, while reducing pressure on road infrastructure and improving overall logistics efficiency.

 

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Key sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and energy stand to benefit as rail becomes an increasingly important enabler of economic growth.

Strategic Projects and Multimodal Integration

Among the standout initiatives is the Saudi Landbridge project, which will link Jeddah on the Red Sea coast to Riyadh, and extend further to Dammam and Jubail on the Arabian Gulf. The project is poised to transform east-west cargo flow across the Kingdom.

Enhancements are also planned for the Haramain High-Speed Railway, a vital corridor for millions of passengers, and the North–South Railway, which plays a key role in the movement of minerals from Saudi Arabia’s northern regions.

Investment and Environmental Impact

Nearly 50% of Saudi Arabia’s current transport and logistics investment is being channeled into rail projects. The expanded network is expected to:

·         Increase freight capacity

·         Lower logistics costs

·         Reduce carbon emissions

·         Ease traffic congestion

·         Create thousands of jobs

The integration of rail with airport and seaport upgrades reflects the Kingdom’s broader push for multimodal connectivity, ensuring end-to-end efficiency in both passenger and cargo transport.

 

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This rail expansion is a critical step toward realizing Vision 2030’s ambitions, supporting sustainable transport, economic diversification, and global competitiveness for the Kingdom.

Source: https://www.logisticsmiddleeast.com/