GCC Nations Set to Sign Landmark Railway Agreement on Sunday in Bahrain

Bahrain is poised to host the signing of a significant agreement that will connect all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states via a railway network. The landmark deal is expected to be finalized at a meeting of GCC transport ministers in Manama on November 8, according to Sheikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications. In an exclusive interview with The National, Sheikh Abdulla described the agreement as the most crucial reached at the GCC level for the railway project, highlighting the extensive coordination among member states, their ministries, and relevant authorities.

"We have the GCC meeting of transport ministers in Bahrain on November 8 and there is a general agreement to connect GCC countries through a railway network. We hope that this agreement will be signed in Bahrain," he stated in Manama. The minister emphasized that regional crises have underscored the urgency of accelerating the project's completion. He also revealed that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are actively working on establishing a direct railway connection between the two nations.

The GCC railway project, initially proposed over a decade ago, aims to create an integrated rail network spanning approximately 2,100km, linking Kuwait in the north to Oman in the south. This network is designed to accommodate both passenger and freight transport, with the overarching goal of bolstering regional trade, facilitating the movement of goods, and enhancing connectivity across Gulf markets.

While the UAE has already inaugurated its national railway network, Oman is currently developing its cross-border link with the UAE through the 238km Hafeet Rail project. This project connects the port city of Sohar with Abu Dhabi via Al Buraimi and Al Ain, with trial operations anticipated to commence in 2027. For Bahrain, integration into this expansive regional network hinges on its planned connection to Saudi Arabia via the proposed King Hamad Causeway, a new fixed link designed for both road and rail traffic. This railway connection will grant Bahrain access to the broader Gulf network, thereby strengthening its ties to regional freight and passenger corridors.

Sheikh Abdulla further noted that the GCC Railways Authority, headquartered in Riyadh, is collaborating with member states to standardize technical specifications, provide essential technical support, and ensure the project stays on track for its targeted completion by 2030.

Economic Lifeline Amidst Regional Tensions

The recent Iran war and the resulting disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have amplified the strategic importance of the GCC railway project. Gulf countries are increasingly focused on fortifying alternative transport routes and safeguarding regional supply chains against future disruptions. Sheikh Abdulla shared that Bahrain had increased its reliance on road transport and utilized alternative ports in neighboring Gulf countries after shipping became constrained due to Iranian attacks during the war.

"Transport is the lifeline of any economy in any country in the world. Whether we are talking about logistical connectivity in general, or land, air or maritime transport, it is fundamental," he asserted. "Given the difficulty of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the reduction of ship calls at Khalifa bin Salman Port, we relied more heavily on road transport and alternative ports, particularly Jeddah Islamic Port in Saudi Arabia, Sohar and Duqm ports in Oman, and Fujairah Port in the UAE, followed by road transport to Bahrain."

The minister highlighted that Bahrain had convened two extraordinary meetings with GCC transport ministers to align the regional response at the highest level. These discussions also involved port authorities, customs officials, and land transport agencies. "Although Bahrain has only one airport, one seaport and one land border crossing, its integration with neighbouring Gulf countries had helped it maintain trade flows. From the outset, what we worked on was Gulf integration," he added. He also mentioned that cooperation with Saudi Arabia had facilitated freight movement by road, including arrangements for empty lorries and procedures enabling Bahraini and other Gulf companies to import and export goods through alternative ports.