Türkiye and Saudi Arabia Forge New Railway Partnership Agreement

Türkiye has taken a significant step to strengthen its international railway ties with a new cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia. The state railways of both nations, TCDD and Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), formalized a memorandum of understanding this week, establishing a framework for a comprehensive partnership in the railway sector.

The deal was signed in Saudi Arabia during meetings held with delegations led by TCDD Director General Veysi Kurt and SAR General Manager Bashar bin Khalid Al Malik, Türkiye's Transport Ministry wrote on Turkish social media platform NSosyal.

Türkiye has recently been expanding its railway cooperation network in the Arab world. The transport ministers of Türkiye, Syria, and Jordan have agreed to revive the Hejaz Railway, marking a historic step in regional transportation, according to Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu.

He adding that 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) of missing superstructure of the railway in Syria will be completed with Turkish assistance.

The Jordanian side will explore technical capabilities for the maintenance, repair, and operation of locomotives in Syria, he said.

Joint will do technical studies to strengthen Türkiye's Red Sea connection via the Port of Aqaba, he underlined.

The agreement outlines multiple areas for joint work, focusing on critical aspects such as railway maintenance, infrastructure development, and efficient traffic management. The partnership also includes provisions for capacity allocation and the exchange of expertise through training and consultancy services, aiming to enhance the operational capabilities of both entities.

This bilateral pact is a strategic component of Türkiye's broader effort to solidify its position as a central hub in global transportation corridors. By forging stronger links with key regional partners like Saudi Arabia, Türkiye continues to expand its influence and partnership network within the Arab world and international railway networks.

The agreement with Saudi Arabia coincides with other major regional projects spearheaded by Türkiye. Notably, recent discussions with Syria and Jordan have centered on reviving the historic Hejaz Railway line. As part of that initiative, Türkiye has committed to completing a 30-kilometer missing section in Syria, while Jordan will provide technical support for locomotive operations, collectively strengthening Türkiye's connectivity to the Red Sea via the Port of Aqaba.