ABU DHABI, Oct 24: The Gulf Railway Authority has confirmed that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are continuing their joint efforts to complete the long-awaited Gulf Railway Project by December 2030, which has been set as the final target for delivery.

The announcement was made by Mohammed bin Fahad Al Shabrami, Director-General of the Gulf Railway Authority, during the second edition of the World Rail 2025 Exhibition and Congress, held in Abu Dhabi.

Al Shabrami described the Gulf Railway as one of the most strategically significant regional infrastructure initiatives, aimed at linking all six GCC countries—Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman—through a unified rail network spanning approximately 2,117 kilometers.

He noted that GCC member states are working in a coordinated and integrated manner to complete the various stages of the project, ensuring that the railway lines are seamlessly connected with each nation’s domestic rail systems. Once completed, the Gulf Railway will form a key component of the region’s transport ecosystem, enhancing economic cooperation, trade efficiency, and passenger mobility across the Arabian Gulf.

The project will also be linked to major seaports and logistics hubs throughout the GCC, facilitating smoother movement of goods and strengthening supply chain connectivity. Officials believe the initiative will have a substantial positive impact on regional economies by increasing trade flows, reducing transportation costs, and promoting cross-border tourism.

According to Al Shabrami, passenger trains on the Gulf Railway are expected to operate at speeds exceeding 200 km/h, while freight trains will run at speeds between 80 and 120 km/h, ensuring both rapid and reliable services.

He added that the project’s advanced technical standards are designed to enhance transport efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and support the region’s sustainable development goals, in line with the GCC’s broader vision for integrated infrastructure and economic growth.