Qatar Approves Kuwait-to-Muscat Railway Project; Gulf Regional Rail to Launch by 2030

3 July 2025
The Qatari Cabinet, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, has approved the general agreement for the GCC-wide railway project, marking a major step toward the implementation of a regional rail line stretching from Kuwait to Muscat.

Ambitious plan with $15.4 billion in investment
The railway will span approximately 2,117 kilometers, with operating speeds of up to 220 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight services. GCC transport ministers have agreed that the project is set for completion and launch by December 2030.

Strategic and economic impact
According to international reports, the Gulf railway is expected to:

• Reduce transportation time and cost
• Strengthen trade flows and attract foreign investment
• Improve connectivity between major Gulf ports and global logistics networks
• Promote regional tourism and ease cross-border mobility

A unified Gulf vision for logistics and integration
This project is seen as a flagship initiative for regional integration and infrastructure modernization, reflecting a shared Gulf ambition to reduce reliance on road transport, promote sustainable development, and elevate the region’s status as a rising global economic hub.