Türkiye, Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Rail, Transport Cooperation Agreements

Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have signed two landmark agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation in transportation, logistics, and railway development, marking a significant step in efforts to enhance regional connectivity and trade.

The agreements were signed on Tuesday by Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.

Announcing the development, Uraloglu described the accords as the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations, focused on expanding technical cooperation and knowledge exchange in key transport sectors.

According to the Turkish minister, the agreements will facilitate collaboration in areas including logistics centres, modern transport applications, railway technology, infrastructure development, workforce training, and human resource capacity building.

“In this context, we are launching a new phase that will strengthen the exchange of expertise and technical cooperation across a wide range of areas, from logistics centres to modern applications,” Uraloglu said.

He added that both countries were working to establish a stronger and more sustainable framework for cooperation in the railway sector, with the goal of supporting regional development, trade, and connectivity.

One of the agreements, the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Logistics Services, is designed to support the construction and management of logistics centres, facilitate the sharing of expertise, and promote joint projects.

The second agreement, the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Railway Sector, seeks to encourage collaboration across all areas of railway development and operations.

Uraloglu noted that Türkiye and Saudi Arabia were also exploring alternative regional trade routes, particularly through Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. He said recent test runs from Türkiye through Iraq to Saudi Arabia had demonstrated the viability of the corridor.

“Although current transport volumes have been affected by regional developments, our goal is to expand cooperation beyond previous levels,” he said.

The agreements come amid Türkiye’s broader plans to revive and modernise the historic Hejaz Railway. Earlier this month, Uraloglu disclosed plans to extend the railway network to Oman, creating an alternative trade route that would reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz.

The proposed project is expected to combine tourism and modern freight transportation while enhancing economic integration across the region. Negotiations with Saudi authorities on the initiative are ongoing.

The latest agreements underscore growing strategic cooperation between Ankara and Riyadh as both countries seek to strengthen transport infrastructure and regional trade links.