Bahrain says landmark GCC railway agreement to be signed on November 8

Bahrain anticipates signing a historic GCC railway agreement on November 8 during a meeting of transport ministers from the six Gulf Cooperation Council nations, according to the country's Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Sheikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. The agreement, described as the most significant reached at GCC level for the railway project, aims to connect all six member states - Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar - through an integrated rail network spanning approximately 2,100 kilometers.

The project, initially proposed over a decade ago, seeks to bolster regional trade, facilitate the movement of goods, and improve connectivity between Gulf markets. The UAE has already launched its national railway network, while Oman is developing its cross-border link with the UAE through the 238km Hafeet Rail project. Bahrain's railway integration will depend on its planned connection to Saudi Arabia via the King Hamad Causeway, a new fixed link designed to accommodate road and railway traffic.

The GCC Railways Authority, headquartered in Riyadh, is collaborating with member states to harmonize technical specifications and ensure the project's successful completion by 2030. The Iran war and the ensuing disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have underscored the project's importance, as Gulf nations strive to establish alternative transport routes and safeguard regional supply chains from potential future disruptions.