Saudi Railways Signs Deals to Expand Freight Network

Saudi Arabia Railways has signed a series of contracts to expand its freight capacity, modernize rail systems, and strengthen operations across the Kingdom, in a major step to support industrial transport and the growth of the country's mining sector.

Under the agreements, the railway operator will add 782 new freight cars supplied by Greenbrier, alongside 33 heavy-haul locomotives from Progress Rail. Both deals are aimed at supporting the Phosphate 3 expansion and boosting freight capacity on the Northern Railway, where the new locomotives will serve phosphate and industrial freight operations.

In Makkah, the operator signed a contract with Hitachi Rail to upgrade and modernize the signaling infrastructure of the Al Mashaaer Al Muqaddasah Metro Project. The upgrade is designed to improve safety, network reliability, operational efficiency, and technical capabilities of the line that serves the holy sites.

A separate five-year contract worth €22 million was also signed with Alstom to maintain the reliability and daily operation of the North Freight fleet along the North–South corridor. This fleet operates within the Kingdom, including the phosphate-transport routes that link mining areas with Ras Al-Khair.

Why it matters

Together, these agreements point to a stronger, more efficient rail network capable of moving larger volumes of industrial and mining freight while keeping key passenger lines — such as those serving Makkah's holy sites — safer and more reliable. For residents and businesses across Saudi Arabia, a stronger freight network supports industrial growth, smoother logistics, and continued expansion of the Kingdom's transport infrastructure.

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