Sheikh Khaled and King Abdullah launch $2.3 billion Jordan rail link

On Monday, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, alongside King Abdullah II of Jordan, inaugurated the Aqaba-Al-Shidiya-Maan Railway Project. This ambitious $2.3 billion investment aims to construct a 403-kilometre rail network connecting the Port of Aqaba with major mining centers in Al Shidiya and Ghor Al Safi, Jordan.

The endeavor is anticipated to bolster the mining sector by facilitating a direct link between mines and ports, thereby reducing transport costs and enhancing supply chain efficiency. The UAE officially endorsed the project in July, with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, present during the ceremony.

The ground-breaking event, held at King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, underscored a significant stride in regional transport infrastructure development. Spearheaded by the Jordanian-Emirati Railways Company, the project is a testament to the deepening bilateral ties between the two nations. Dr Mohammad Thneibat, chairman of the Jordan-UAE Railway Company, emphasized that the project encapsulates the leadership's vision to translate cooperation and mutual trust into impactful development and investment initiatives.

The railway will traverse approximately 55 bridges and six tunnels, alongside essential engineering structures, and is designed to handle around 16 million tonnes of phosphate and potash annually. This will not only slash transportation costs but also streamline export logistics from Jordan’s mining hubs directly to Aqaba’s ports.

The project's economic ripple effects are expected to be far-reaching, generating approximately 5,000 jobs in southern Jordan and slashing mineral transportation costs by around $40 million annually. This will bolster the competitiveness of Jordan's mining sector while fostering growth opportunities in engineering, construction, maintenance, logistics, technology, and related industries.

In addition to the UAE, the UAE is engaged in various rail ventures, including the Etihad Rail network, a 1,200-kilometre railway spanning all seven emirates for heavy freight and passenger services, and a joint railway project with Oman, the Hafeet Rail. The UAE also plays a pivotal role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, a multibillion-dollar rail and shipping corridor aimed at enhancing connectivity between India and Europe.