A long-delayed bridge to Saudi Arabia remains in limbo, but Cairo’s rail ambitions are speeding ahead
CAIRO — Egypt is stepping on the gas when it comes to reshaping its transport strategy. With the Suez Canal already commanding global attention, the country now wants to become a central land corridor connecting Asia and Europe. But while its railway plans gain traction, a long-discussed physical link to Saudi Arabia remains stuck in neutral.
Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir confirmed over the weekend that the country has drawn up an extensive plan to integrate its national railway network into a broader continental trade grid. At the heart of it: a high-speed rail system stretching from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. But an iconic project—first floated nearly a decade ago—remains a question mark: the bridge across the Straits of Tiran linking Egypt to Saudi Arabia.
Seven Rail Axes, One Grand Strategy
Egypt isn’t thinking small. It’s building rail lines across seven major corridors, according to Wazir. The most high-profile of them are three high-speed train routes meant to link Sokhna Port on the Red Sea to Alexandria and Marsa Matrouh on the Mediterranean, and to Aswan deep in the south.
These aren’t just upgrades. They’re part of a multi-billion dollar transformation project aimed at cutting cargo travel times, improving logistics, and positioning Egypt as a serious player in east-west trade.
In one sentence: Cairo is betting that better trains can do for Egypt’s economy what ships have done for decades.
And Wazir says that planning is largely done. “We’ve mapped it out. Now it’s about executing,” he told Reuters during a conference hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.
The Stalled Link Across the Straits of Tiran
It was supposed to be a symbol of regional unity and economic synergy. Instead, the proposed bridge between Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Saudi Arabia remains stuck in announcement mode.
First proposed in 2016 during a visit by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, the bridge would link the African continent with the Arabian Peninsula—physically connecting two powerhouses of the Arab world.
But nearly a decade later, no concrete has been poured.
“We have now completed the planning for the bridge between Egypt and Saudi Arabia and are ready to implement it at any time—whether a bridge or a tunnel,” Wazir said.
Yet implementation remains elusive. While Egyptian officials say they’re prepared, the final green light—likely needing political alignment from both sides—is still pending.
So, What’s the Backup?
With the bridge still on pause, Egypt isn’t sitting idle. The Arab Bridge Maritime Company, co-owned by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, is currently filling the logistics gap.
The firm operates 13 vessels that move cargo and passengers across the Red Sea. Wazir said it’s an effective, if interim, solution to connect Egyptian ports with key Gulf trading hubs.
Here’s how that setup currently works:
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Cargo from Asia arrives at Saudi ports or Jordan’s Aqaba.
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It’s then shipped via ferry to Egyptian ports such as Nuweiba or Suez.
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From there, rail or road systems handle inland delivery through Egypt to Africa or Europe.
Not exactly seamless, but it’s functional.
Israel, Iraq Also Want in on the Game
Egypt isn’t the only country watching trade flows. Israel is investing billions into a rail project linking the Mediterranean port of Haifa to the Jordanian border. Iraq, too, is pushing forward with its “Development Road” initiative—a planned $17 billion network to connect Basra to Turkey and beyond.
Why does this matter?
Because all these countries see what’s coming: the reconfiguration of global supply chains. And no one wants to be left behind.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has also poured money into overland and sea routes between Asia and Europe. Egypt, with its Suez Canal choke point and central location, stands to benefit—if it can pull off its logistics revamp in time.
What Could Tip the Scales?
The game-changer here could be regional politics.
Saudi Arabia’s mega-project NEOM is expected to include a massive trade and business zone near the Red Sea. If and when that project fully materializes, there may be stronger incentives—possibly from the Saudi side—to finalize the bridge.
But there are other factors, too: environmental assessments around the Red Sea’s delicate coral ecosystem, security concerns in the Sinai Peninsula, and the sheer cost of such a megaproject.
Still, officials in Cairo remain upbeat.
“The moment both sides are ready politically and economically, we can move forward. Everything is planned,” Wazir reiterated.
What’s Next?
For now, Egypt seems to be playing a dual-track strategy. One: continue modernizing domestic infrastructure. Two: keep the bigger regional pieces—like the bridge to Saudi Arabia—in the back pocket, ready to activate.
Whether Egypt becomes a top logistics hub won’t just depend on railroads and bridges. It’ll hinge on regional cooperation, investor confidence, and Cairo’s ability to deliver on its promises.
And with Israel and Iraq racing to capture the same freight traffic, the clock is ticking.
