SAR Launches 1,700km International Freight Rail Route Moving 400 Containers Per Train

The Saudi Arabia Railways freight corridor is now open as an international rail freight service. It links ports in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region with the Kingdom’s northern border. The route provides a direct land connection for cargo moving toward Jordan and neighbouring countries. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

How the Saudi Arabia Railways freight corridor works?

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the service runs through the national railway network. It links King Abdulaziz Port, King Fahd Industrial Port and Jubail Commercial Port with Al-Haditha Port.

As Railway-News reported, containers can move by rail from Gulf ports to the northern border. From there, cargo can continue onward to Jordan and other countries in the region. Also, the route is designed for traffic in the opposite direction. Goods can return to the ports through the same network.

Railway Supply notes that the corridor covers more than 1,700 kilometres. It is expected to shorten transit times compared with existing land freight options. In addition, each train can carry more than 400 standard containers.

Freight efficiency and road-to-rail shift

The corridor is intended to make freight transport more efficient and reliable. It also supports export and re-export activity. At the same time, moving some cargo from road to rail may reduce the number of heavy goods vehicles on highways. That may have possible effects on road maintenance, safety and emissions.

Separately, the development forms part of wider efforts to strengthen logistics infrastructure. It also supports efforts to integrate supply chains across the region through rail-based transport.

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