UAE and Jordan Sign Historic $2.3 Billion Agreement to Build Freight Railway from Dead Sea to Red Sea
In a monumental stride towards enhancing regional connectivity and boosting trade, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has entered into a historic partnership with Jordan to build a $2.3 billion freight railway. This ambitious project, set to stretch from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea, will not only improve transport infrastructure but also catalyze mineral production and export between the two nations.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national rail operator, and Jordanian authorities, marks a significant step in the UAE’s vision of bolstering economic ties and facilitating sustainable development. The railway will span a distance of 360 kilometers, linking Jordan’s rich phosphate and potash mines in Al-Shidiya and Ghor Al-Safi, located near the Dead Sea, to the port of Aqaba on the Red Sea. This will create a seamless corridor for the transport of minerals, significantly enhancing the efficiency of exporting these critical resources.
The railway is expected to be a game-changer for both countries, with construction slated to begin in 2026 and completion targeted by 2030. Terminals will be built in Aqaba, Ghor Al-Safi, and Shidiya to handle the loading and unloading of freight, further streamlining operations. The freight line is designed to transport up to 16 million tonnes of phosphate and potash annually, materials vital to Jordan’s mining industry and global exports.
Etihad Rail’s collaboration with Jordan’s Phosphate Mines Company and the Arab Potash Company solidifies the project’s potential to revolutionize the transport and trade of these minerals. With Jordan’s rich mineral deposits and the UAE’s advanced infrastructure capabilities, this partnership promises to transform the regional mineral trade landscape.
Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Emirati Minister of Investment, emphasized the significance of the project, stating, “Through enhancing capabilities and sharing technical expertise, we aim to establish new economic and investment connections that support infrastructure development and foster promising opportunities, all within the framework of our vision to achieve comprehensive and sustainable economic growth.”
Beyond economic benefits, the freight railway aligns with the broader regional goal of strengthening economic ties and fostering long-term, sustainable growth. It not only enhances trade routes but also positions Jordan as a pivotal hub for mineral exports, while reinforcing the UAE’s role as a key player in regional infrastructure development.
In the years ahead, this project is expected to create numerous opportunities for investment, job creation, and economic diversification in both nations. The railway will open new avenues for Jordan’s mining sector, providing a faster and more efficient route to global markets. At the same time, the UAE will solidify its position as a logistics powerhouse, helping to accelerate infrastructure projects that benefit the broader Middle East.
In essence, the UAE-Jordan freight railway project is a bold and strategic move that will not only strengthen bilateral relations but also unlock new economic potential across the region. By 2030, the seamless transportation of minerals from Jordan’s mines to global markets via the Red Sea will mark a significant milestone in regional collaboration, trade, and economic integration.
