The revival of railways in Egypt

Egypt and Saudi Arabia are planning to set up a high-speed rail link between both countries, marking the first such connection between the two Arab nations. The project aims to boost trade and enhance the movement of people between the countries. The rail route will span from Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt to Ras Alsheikh Hamid in Saudi Arabia, crossing the Red Sea via a bridge. The initiative, with an estimated cost of $4 billion, is expected to revolutionize rail transport, increase economic cooperation, and facilitate the movement of cargo, labor, and pilgrims. Despite initial enthusiasm for the project, relations between Cairo and Riyadh have fluctuated due to differing stances on regional and international issues. The rail link forms part of a broader transport interconnection plan proposed by King Salman in 2017, aiming to bolster trade and integration between Asia and Africa.

The project, which is expected to be completed in 2025, will connect the dry port of 10th Ramadan (DP 10) to the main ENR network, thereby enabling cargo flows between several ports to avoid the Cairo rail hub, resulting in time savings. The project is expected to serve containers using ENR's existing fleet of vehicles. It will also connect Robeiky, 10th Ramadan and Belbeis. As such, the project is expected to contribute to a modal shift from road to rail for freight and passenger transport, offering a more environmentally friendly transport solution. In addition, it represents essential infrastructure for DP 10, a key part of the GoE's plan to expand intermodal transport systems and involve the private sector in advancing the green transition.