Image: Getty Images
Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformative journey to diversify its economy and enhance its global competitiveness. Central to this vision is the development of a state-of-the-art transportation infrastructure. Saudi’s ambitious plans encompass extensive railway expansions, the construction of world-class airports, and the modernisation of highways—all aimed at positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading logistics and economic hub by 2030.
Railways: Connecting the Kingdom and beyond
Rail transport is pivotal to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, serving as the backbone for regional connectivity and economic integration. According to the Saudi Times, the Kingdom plans to expand its national railway network by over 50 per cent, increasing its length from approximately 5,300 kilometers to over 8,000 kilometers. This expansion includes the $7bn Cross-Kingdom Rail Corridor, also known as the Saudi Landbridge Project, which will link key cities from Jeddah to Dammam, enhancing trade and logistics capabilities.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia is modernising its North-South passenger rail fleet with 15 new train sets, aiming to improve service quality and capacity.
Saudi railway projects in a nutshell:
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Saudi Landbridge Project
A 950 km railway connecting Jeddah on the Red Sea to Riyadh, facilitating efficient freight movement and enhancing the Kingdom’s logistics capabilities.Image source: SYSTRA. SYSTRA is part of a consortium of contractors carrying out the preliminary design of one of the world’s most ambitious railway projects, the Saudi Landbridge -
GCC Rail Network
A regional initiative to link Saudi Arabia with neighboring Gulf countries, enhancing cross-border trade and transportation efficiency.Image source: ALG
Airports: Expanding capacity for global connectivity
The aviation sector is experiencing significant growth, with passenger numbers surging by 46 per cent since the launch of Vision 2030. A cornerstone of this expansion is the King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, currently under construction. Spanning 57 square kilometers, the airport is projected to become the world’s largest, accommodating up to 185 million passengers annually by 2050.
This development is part of a broader strategy to increase the Kingdom’s airport passenger capacity to 330 million by 2030, reinforcing its position as a global travel and logistics hub.
Some of the aviation projects in a nutshell:
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King Salman International Airport (Riyadh)
Under construction, this airport is set to become one of the world’s largest, with a capacity to handle up to 120 million passengers annually by 2030.Image source: Foster + Partners -
Neom Airports
Part of the futuristic Neom project, four airports are planned, with one operational (Neom Bay Airport). These airports aim to support sustainable aviation and integrate with the city’s advanced transportation systems.
Highways: Enhancing national and regional connectivity
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in its highway infrastructure to support economic growth and regional integration. The National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS) outlines plans to develop and modernise road networks, facilitating efficient movement of goods and people across the Kingdom and neighboring regions.
These initiatives are complemented by the development of dedicated logistics zones, which are set to increase from 22 to 59 by 2030, further enhancing the Kingdom’s logistics capabilities.
Highways & Road Networks projects/initatives at a glance:
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Highway 10 (Rub’ al Khali)
Holds the record for the world’s longest straight road, stretching 149 miles through the desert, facilitating logistics and transportation across the Kingdom.Image source: Saudi Press Agency -
National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS)
The National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS) is a Saudi Arabian initiative aimed at transforming the region into a global logistics hub by connecting three continents. Launched in 2021, the NTLS is a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on enhancing transport and logistics services to diversify the economy and boost non-oil revenues. The strategy aims to boost non-oil revenues to $12bn by 2030, contributing to the Saudi’s economic growth.
Public-Private Partnerships: Driving innovation and investment
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are central to the realisation of Saudi Arabia’s transport infrastructure goals. The Kingdom is leveraging PPPs to develop highways, railways, ports, and airports, attracting private investment and expertise to drive innovation and efficiency.
Notably, the Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah became the Middle East’s first airport project procured as a PPP, serving as a model for future developments. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina, Saudi Arabia, was developed under a PPP model. This project, valued at $1.2bn, involved a full 25-year PPP, making it the first airport PPP for the GCC aviation sector. The Tibah Consortium, led by TAV Airports Holding, developed the airport, which became fully operational in 2015.
Saudi Arabia’s mega transport projects are pivotal to the success of Vision 2030. By investing in railways, airports, and highways, the Kingdom is not only enhancing its domestic infrastructure but also positioning itself as a global logistics and economic powerhouse. These developments offer significant opportunities for businesses and investors to engage in one of the most ambitious infrastructure transformations in the world.
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