Transport ministers from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members signed a regional railway agreement in Bahrain on Sunday, Nov. 8, advancing a plan to connect national networks and expand cross-border passenger and freight links.
News of Bahrain and Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa witnessed the signing. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi said the accord is intended to help governments coordinate construction and operations across their rail systems, with a schedule to guide progress, Asharq Al-Awsat reported.
Before the signing, Saudi Gazette reported that the GCC General Secretariat’s outline covered technical and operational compatibility, member-state responsibilities and coordination with the GCC Railways Authority.
The planned network would link Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, running from Kuwait to Oman. The National described the route as about 2,100 kilometers, while Times Kuwait reported a length of 2,117 kilometers.
The GCC Supreme Council approved the general railway agreement in December 2025, according to its final statement. Bahrain’s Prime Minister’s Office said the Cabinet approved a draft law to ratify the agreement on Nov. 2.
Albudaiwi described the railway’s aims as making passenger travel and cargo movement easier, supporting trade among member states and improving the bloc’s economic competitiveness. These are projected benefits of the planned network.
Bahrain’s Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Sheikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa told The National that shipping difficulties in the Strait of Hormuz had increased Bahrain’s reliance on road transport and alternative regional ports. He cited that shift as a reason to strengthen regional transport links, the outlet reported.
The National reported that the railway was first proposed more than a decade ago and has a 2030 completion target.
