UAE & Jordan Sign MoU for USD 2.3B Railway From Dead Sea to Red Sea

The United Arab Emirates has entered into a landmark agreement with Jordan to construct a multi-billion dollar freight railway connecting the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. This project is set to bolster the production and trade of minerals in the region, as part of both countries' efforts to enhance their economic ties.

The MoU was signed by Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national rail operator, alongside Jordanian authorities and companies.

The railway would link Jordan’s phosphate and potash mines, located in Shidiya and Ghor Al-Safi near the Dead Sea, to the port at Aqaba on the Red Sea. This 360 km railway project, valued at approximately USD 2.3 billion, would also include the construction of key terminals in Aqaba, Ghor Al Safi, and Shidiya to manage the loading and unloading of freight.

Construction on the railway is scheduled to commence in 2026, with completion targeted for 2030. Once operational, it is expected to handle the transportation of 16 million tonnes of phosphate and potash annually. This will be facilitated by agreements Etihad Rail signed with Jordan’s Phosphate Mines Company and the Arab Potash Company, which are key players in Jordan’s mining sector.