Sener wins design contract for Saudi Landbridge rail project

17/04/2026 08:49 AST

Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step forward on its long-planned Landbridge railway, awarding Spanish engineering firm Sener the lead design contract for the multi-billion-dollar project linking the Red Sea to the Arabian Gulf, according to published reports.

The contract, awarded by Saudi Railway Company (SAR), marks renewed momentum for the strategic rail corridor. The project is a central component of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy to position itself as a global logistics hub.

Spanning approximately 1,500 km, the Landbridge will connect the port city of Jeddah on the Red Sea with Dammam and Jubail on the Gulf coast. The scheme includes around 950 km of new railway between Jeddah and Riyadh, alongside a 115 km link between Dammam and Jubail, while also upgrading existing rail infrastructure across the network.

The design contract follows a competitive tender process launched in 2025, with bids evaluated through the end of the year. Sener's appointment builds on earlier preliminary work undertaken by Italferr, which remains involved in the broader project framework.

Currently in the advanced planning stage, the Landbridge is expected to be delivered through a phased model under SAR's management, replacing an earlier public-private partnership structure. Construction packages are set to be tendered in stages as detailed engineering progresses. The targeted completion of the project is 2034.

Passenger trains on the network are expected to reach speeds of up to 250 km/h, while freight services could operate at up to 160 km/h, significantly cutting transit times between the Kingdom's western and eastern coasts. The corridor is designed to streamline cargo movement between key industrial centres and ports, reducing reliance on longer maritime routes around the Arabian Peninsula, including those linked to the Suez Canal.

The Landbridge is widely seen as a cornerstone infrastructure project, aimed at enhancing trade flows between Asia, Europe and Africa while strengthening domestic connectivity. By linking major ports with inland logistics hubs, Saudi Arabia is seeking to accelerate economic diversification, attract foreign investment and create new employment opportunities in line with its long-term development goals.

With design work now underway, the project's next phase will focus on finalising engineering plans and issuing construction tenders, as Riyadh pushes ahead with one of the region's most ambitious rail developments.

Trade Arabia