Under the vast Nefert Desert, a steel artery is undergoing a rebirth, transporting Saudi Arabia's white gold - phosphate - more efficiently to the global market.

Saudi Arabian Railways recently launched a strategic infrastructure upgrade plan to double track key phosphate railways. The project will be tendered in multiple stages, with the second phase of the project being approximately 150 kilometers long, connecting the Zabila hub with the Ha'il station, aiming to seamlessly connect the phosphate production capacity of the northern mining area with the eastern port. The total investment is expected to reach several billion riyals.

Connect the main artery of mining exports

This double track renovation project is a systematic capability enhancement. The first phase of the project has started bidding in November 2025, covering a section of about 100 kilometers from AZ1/Naria marshalling yard to Lasherr Port. The bidding plan for the second phase of the project, which followed closely, will be released in January 2026. These two bidding packages are only the beginning of the overall planning, and in the future, they will also cover the construction of the vehicle depot and system integration, aiming to completely upgrade this single track railway into a high-capacity double track channel through a four-year construction period.

This railway is a core component of the North South railway freight section in Saudi Arabia. This transportation artery, with a total length of 2750 kilometers, crosses the second largest desert in the Arabian Peninsula. It was constructed with the participation of enterprises such as China Civil Engineering, China Railway 15th Bureau, and China Railway 18th Bureau. Its freight line is specifically designed to transport mineral resources from the northwest mining area to ports in the Persian Gulf.

From resource export to industry dominance

The upgrade of phosphate railways goes far beyond simply increasing transportation capacity. It is a key milestone for Saudi Arabia to promote its 2030 vision and achieve its economic diversification strategy. Saudi Arabia aims to build an independent and efficient mining logistics system by constructing double tracks, supporting advanced signal systems, and planning to improve the localized production level of railway materials and equipment, such as building a cement sleeper rail factory. Keywords: Middle East news and information, Middle East news

This railway directly serves the Wand Shamar mining area of Saudi Arabian Mining Company, one of the world's largest phosphate producers. After upgrading, it will be able to support the growing demand for mining and chemical production, such as diammonium phosphate fertilizer and export logistics, strengthening Saudi Arabia's position in the global mineral supply chain and providing solid support for its transformation from a resource exporting country to an industrial powerhouse in the entire industry chain.Editor/Cheng Liting