Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has launched a new international logistics corridor designed to strengthen freight connectivity between the Kingdom’s eastern ports and its northern border, according to local reports.
The rail corridor connects key maritime gateways—King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail, and Jubail Commercial Port—to the Al-Haditha border crossing. The route provides direct overland access to Saudi Arabia’s northern regions and onward connectivity to Jordan, significantly enhancing cross-border trade efficiency.
SAR said the new service enables seamless container movement by rail from ports in the Eastern Province directly to the northern frontier, while also supporting reverse logistics flows back to the ports. Each train operating on the corridor is capable of carrying up to 400 standard containers.
Spanning more than 1,700 kilometres, the corridor is expected to cut transit times by nearly half compared with traditional road transport, offering a faster and more cost-effective logistics solution.
The development comes amid a broader push by the Saudi Ports Authority to strengthen the Kingdom’s logistics ecosystem. Recently, Mawani announced a partnership with UAE-based Gulftainer to establish a trade bridge linking Khorfakkan Port with Dammam on Saudi Arabia’s east coast. The integrated route connects Khorfakkan Commercial Terminal and Sajaa Dry Port with Dammam, enabling faster cross-border cargo movement.
In parallel, Mawani has also introduced five new maritime services through the Kingdom’s Red Sea ports in collaboration with major global carriers including MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd to boost regional and international trade flows.
Earlier this month, Mawani launched its Logistics Corridors programme, aimed at facilitating the movement of containers and general cargo between eastern and western Saudi ports, as well as improving connectivity with other GCC gateways.
Together, these initiatives underscore Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a regional logistics hub by enhancing multimodal transport infrastructure and streamlining supply chain networks.
