In less than five months, the governments of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have made significant progress towards the implementation of the “bullet train,” underscoring the strong relationship, agreement, and smooth cooperation between the two brotherly nations.
The Al-Qabas daily has learned that the Kuwaiti executive and supervisory authorities are working diligently to finalize technical and legal approvals, paving the way for the realization of a high-speed railway line connecting Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Reliable sources anticipate that all necessary Kuwaiti approvals will be secured within the current month or at the latest, the following month. This will enable a comprehensive study of the financial, economic, and technical viability of the project, followed by subsequent stages towards its eventual implementation.
In June 2023, an Amiri decree was issued, officially approving the agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concerning the railway link project between the two nations. On September 26, the Saudi Council of Ministers also granted approval for the railway link project agreement between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
Sources revealed that Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Public Works and the Saudi Railway Company (SAR), have jointly selected the French company SYSTRA to conduct the feasibility study. According to the agreement, the Ministry of Public Works has completed contracting documents and submitted them to the Audit Bureau for approval, to finalize the contract with SYSTRA for the financial, economic, and technical feasibility study. This study will encompass transportation mechanisms for both individuals and goods along the high-speed railway line between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
The estimated cost of the feasibility study for the link project is $10.57 million, roughly equivalent to 3.270 million dinars. This cost will be shared equally between the two parties, with each contributing 1.635 million dinars. SYSTRA is expected to complete the feasibility study for the railway link project within a period not exceeding six months.
Furthermore, the agreement emphasizes that this joint project between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia is distinct and separate from the railway project involving the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Regarding the “Gulf Train,” approximately two months ago, the General Authority for Roads and Land Transport initiated a dedicated effort to finalize the feasibility study through the Central Agency for Public Tenders. The Authority accepted offers from nine local and international consulting companies vying for the contract. It is currently in the process of selecting a consulting company to conduct the feasibility study for the Gulf train project, with the announcement of the winning company expected before the year’s end.
As per the Kuwaiti-Saudi agreement, the railway line connecting the two nations will extend from the train station point in Kuwait, likely situated in the southern region of the country, to the train station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Project highlights
— May 23, 2023, the Saudi Council of Ministers authorized the Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, or his representative, to discuss with the Kuwaiti side regarding a draft agreement between the government of the Kingdom and the government of the State of Kuwait regarding the railway connection project between the two countries.
— June 4, 2023, the agreement was signed in the cities of Riyadh and Kuwait through diplomatic channels.
— June 12, 2023, an Emiri decree was issued approving the agreement.
— September 26, 2023, the Saudi Council of Ministers approved the railway connection project agreement.
It is expected that within less than two months, Kuwait will sign a consulting contract to launch the project study process.