Aqaba, Jordan - Jordan has laid the foundation stone for the Aqaba–Shidiya–Maan railway project, a major transport infrastructure scheme designed to improve freight movement between the country’s mining regions and Aqaba Industrial Port.
King Abdullah II and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the ceremony in Aqaba.
The project forms part of Jordan’s wider national railway programme and is intended to lower transport costs, improve mining logistics and strengthen the competitiveness of Jordanian exports.
During its first phase, the railway is expected to transport around 13 million tonnes of phosphate each year from Shidiya to Aqaba. It will also connect with the planned Maan Land Port, improving the movement of goods between Aqaba and Maan.
The UAE–Jordan Railway Company, established through a consortium of Jordanian and Emirati companies and institutions, is responsible for construction and delivery of the project.
In April, Jordan and the UAE signed strategic agreements covering the development of a 360km railway network. The system will connect phosphate and potash production sites through two main routes linking Shidiya and Ghor Al Safi with Aqaba Industrial Port.
Mohammad Thneibat, Chairman of UAE–Jordan Railway Company, said the project reflects long-term confidence in Jordan’s economic, investment and logistics outlook and is expected to support new investment and employment opportunities.
Shadi Malak, Deputy Chairman of UAE–Jordan Railway Company and CEO of Etihad Rail, described the development as an economic link between Jordan’s production centres and international markets through Aqaba.
The railway is also intended to support the development of Aqaba as a regional transport and logistics hub while forming a key element of Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision.
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and a number of senior ministers and officials also attended the foundation stone ceremony.
