Kuwait Signs Design Contract with Turkish Company for Gulf Railway
The Ministry of Public Works in Kuwait signed a contract with the Turkish company Proyapi to design the first phase of the GCC railway project. Minister Noura Al Mashaan attended the signing ceremony. The contract includes a study of the project, detailed design, and preparation of tender documents for the GCC railway.
Contract Details and Duration
Kuwait awarded the contract in January 2025 for $8.1 million USD. The consultancy work for the GCC railway will continue for about one year. The railway will start from Shadadiya, where Kuwait will build its main railway station on a 2 million square meter site, and will end in Nuwaiseeb, covering a distance of 111 kilometers.
Project Goals and Completion Date
Kuwait plans to complete its part of the project by 2030. The railway will make it easier and faster to move people and goods across the Gulf region, which is the primary goal of the GCC railway network.
Gulf-Wide Railway Network
The six Gulf countries agreed to build a shared railway in 2009. The full railway will connect all countries from Kuwait to Oman, with a total length of 2,177 kilometers. Construction for the GCC railway has already started in the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
Design Work in Kuwait
In Kuwait, the first steps will include soil testing, route planning, and engineering studies. After the design work for the GCC railway is finished, Kuwait will invite companies to bid for the construction. The design will also prepare all needed documents for the next phase of the project.
Statements from Officials
Ahmed Al-Saleh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, said:
“The project is important for the region. It will help with the movement of people and goods.”
He also said:
“By signing the design contract, we officially started the project. We cannot know the final cost of Kuwait’s part until the design is ready.”
📊 Summary Table 📊
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | GCC Railway – First Phase in Kuwait |
| Design Company | Proyapi (Turkey) |
| Contract Value | $8.1 million USD |
| Design Duration | Around 1 year |
| Contract Signed | January 2025 |
| Length of Kuwait Segment | 111 km – from Shadadiya to Nuwaiseeb |
| Completion Target | 2030 |
| Purpose | Transport for passengers and goods in the Gulf region via GCC railway |
| Total GCC Network Length | 2,177 km – from Kuwait to Oman |
