The governments of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have broken ground on the Aqaba–Al-Shidiyeh–Maan Railway Project, a $2.5bn initiative to connect the Red Sea port city of Aqaba with key mining and logistics hubs in southern Jordan.
The ceremony, held in Aqaba, was attended by Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, along with officials from both countries and representatives of the companies involved in the project.
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Managed by the Jordan-UAE Railway Company, the project includes a 403km rail line designed to link Aqaba port with phosphate and potash production sites and the Maan Logistics Zone.
Initial works will see the installation of railway tracks, approximately 55 bridges, six tunnels and related structures, according to the project partners.
The railway is expected to carry up to 16 million tonnes of mineral products annually, streamlining the movement of minerals from inland production centres to Aqaba’s export terminals.
According to a statement from the Abu Dhabi Government, the new line will reduce transportation costs for phosphate and potash by an estimated $40m annually and enable Jordanian exports to reach regional and global markets more efficiently.
The project is expected to support about 5,000 jobs in southern Jordan while generating additional opportunities for local businesses and private-sector firms in engineering, construction, maintenance, logistics, technology and related industries.
Jordan-UAE Railway Company chairman Dr Mohammad Thneibat said: “Today’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Jordan-UAE partnership and reflects the vision of the leadership of both countries to translate cooperation and mutual trust into development and investment projects with tangible impact.
“The significance of this project lies in its ability to connect production centres with the ports of Aqaba and regional and global markets, enhance the efficiency of the transport and logistics ecosystem, strengthen the competitiveness of national exports and create long-term value for the economy and society, thereby reinforcing Jordan’s position in regional and international trade.”
The Jordan-UAE Railway Company is jointly owned by UAE-based L’IMAD Holding Company and Jordanian entities including the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, the Government Investments Management Company, the Social Security Investment Fund and the Arab Potash Company.
