Travel between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh could soon be reduced to under five hours once the long-awaited GCC Railway becomes operational, according to a report by Khaleej Times.
Speaking at the Global Rail 2025 event in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Rail CEO Shadi Malak said the project will transform the way people and goods move across the Gulf region. “The rail is not just a UAE project, it is a GCC project that every citizen and resident of the region will benefit from. It is ambitious, but it is happening,” he said.
Malak explained that containers could be transported from Oman to Kuwait in less than 20 hours, significantly cutting logistics costs and travel time. The GCC Railway—spanning approximately 2,177 kilometers—aims to link all six Gulf Cooperation Council member states: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Industry leaders at the event stressed the importance of regional collaboration to unlock the full potential of the project. Abdulrahman Salim Al Hatmi, Group CEO of Asyad, emphasized that collective action among GCC nations is vital to deliver infrastructure that supports trade and resilience.
DP World GCC CEO Abdulla Bin Damithan said the railway network could help lower logistics costs by up to 30 percent, making regional trade more efficient and competitive.
Meanwhile, Aqaba Development Corporation CEO Hussein Ali Safadi noted that the railway could also serve as a bridge connecting Gulf countries to Europe and North America, strengthening global supply chains.
As Malak described, the shared vision for the railway captures the region’s aspirations: “It’s a dream for every person in the GCC, and we are getting closer to achieving it.”
