Three-nation rail corridor to boost trade

Jordan and Saudi Arabia are moving ahead with a new cross-border railway that will also link to Syria. The proposed line will connect the Jaber and Al-Omari border crossings, creating a direct three-country rail corridor. Technical coordination has started, while Saudi Arabia’s existing rail network already reaches the Jordanian border, supporting quick integration. The move comes as Jordan pushes forward with the $2.3 billion UAE-backed Aqaba Port Railway.

The project is set to change how cargo moves across the region. A direct rail link between the Gulf and the Levant will cut transit time and reduce logistics costs, especially for bulk goods like minerals, food and industrial shipments. It also offers a more stable option compared to road transport.

For the logistics sector, this opens a new multimodal corridor linking ports, rail and land routes. It will improve supply chain efficiency, reduce delays at borders and support higher cargo volumes.

The development builds on Saudi Arabia’s wider rail expansion, including its 1,700-km freight corridor, as the region focuses on faster, more connected trade networks. Currently, joint committees are working to finalise the railway’s routes, technical plans and operations.