UAE-Jordan partnership advances with major railway project

King Abdullah II of Jordan and His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, have witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Aqaba–Al-Shidiyeh–Maan Railway Project in Aqaba.

The strategic project is being developed by the Jordan-UAE Railway Company through a joint UAE-Jordanian investment of around $2.5 billion and will establish a 403 km railway network, making it the largest railway project of its kind in Jordan.

The railway will connect Aqaba with key mining and production sites, as well as the Maan Logistics Zone, creating an integrated system for transporting bulk cargo and containers between ports, production centres and inland logistics facilities.

Sheikh Khaled said the project reflects the strength of UAE-Jordan relations and the two countries' commitment to advancing strategic partnerships that support shared interests and open new avenues for cooperation and development.

The project includes the construction of railway tracks, around 55 bridges, six tunnels and related infrastructure.

Once completed, it is expected to transport about 16 million tonnes of phosphate and potash annually, improving the movement of mineral resources to Aqaba's ports and boosting the competitiveness of Jordanian exports.

It is also expected to create around 5,000 jobs in southern Jordan and reduce phosphate and potash transportation costs by nearly $40 million per year, while generating opportunities for local businesses across engineering, construction, logistics, maintenance and technology sectors.

King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan and Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, have witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Aqaba–Al-Shidiyeh–Maan Railway Project, developed by the Jordan-UAE Railway Company via a joint investment of about US$2.5bn. pic.twitter.com/SvrluNq6rT

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) October 5, 2026