Kuwait is developing its first rail network as part of the GCC Railway Network and national development plans. The system focuses on connecting Kuwait City with major industrial areas, ports, and neighboring countries, while also developing metro solutions for urban mobility.
Major Projects
Kuwait Metro Project
| Parameter |
Specification |
Status |
| Lines Planned |
4 |
Planning Phase |
| Total Length |
160 km |
Design Stage |
| Stations |
68 |
Proposed |
| Project Value |
$20B |
Approved |
| Expected Completion |
2030* |
Phase 1 |
Kuwait National Rail Road (KNRR)
| Parameter |
Specification |
Status |
| Network Length |
574 km |
Planning |
| International Links |
2 (Saudi Arabia, Iraq) |
Proposed |
| Freight Capacity |
50M tons/year |
Projected |
| Passenger Capacity |
5M/year |
Projected |
Technical Parameters
Track & Civil Infrastructure
| Parameter |
Specification |
Standard/Reference |
Notes |
| Track Gauge |
1,435 mm |
UIC Standard |
Standard gauge |
| Rail Profile |
UIC 60 |
EN 13674-1 |
Heat-treated |
| Sleeper Type |
Concrete Mono-block |
EN 13230 |
Desert-adapted |
| Design Speed (Passenger) |
250 km/h |
GCC Standards |
Main lines |
| Design Speed (Freight) |
120 km/h |
GCC Standards |
Main lines |
| Axle Load |
25 tonnes |
UIC 700 |
Heavy haul |
| Track Bed Width |
13.7m |
UIC 776-1 |
Double track |
| Maximum Gradient |
1.5% |
GCC Standards |
Desert terrain |
Electrical Systems
| Parameter |
Specification |
Standard/Reference |
Notes |
| Power Supply |
25kV AC 50Hz |
EN 50163 |
Main lines |
| Catenary Height |
5.3m |
EN 50119 |
Desert conditions |
| Contact Wire |
120mm² Cu-Ag |
EN 50149 |
Temperature optimized |
| Substations Spacing |
40-50 km |
IEC 60850 |
Desert environment |
| Power Factor |
>0.95 |
IEEE 1159 |
Energy efficiency |
Environmental Design
| Parameter |
Specification |
Notes |
| Temperature Range |
-5°C to +55°C |
Desert operation |
| Sand Protection |
IP66 |
All equipment |
| Wind Speed Design |
Up to 140 km/h |
Sand storm resistant |
| Humidity Range |
5% – 95% |
Coastal areas |
Planned Operations
| Line |
Length (km) |
Stations |
Daily Capacity |
Status |
| Line 1 |
61.5 |
24 |
200,000 |
Planning |
| Line 2 |
50.3 |
20 |
180,000 |
Planning |
| Line 3 |
40.2 |
16 |
150,000 |
Planning |
| Line 4 |
8.0 |
8 |
70,000 |
Planning |
National Rail
| Service Type |
Route |
Frequency |
Journey Time |
| Express Passenger |
Kuwait – Saudi Border |
2h |
1h 45m |
| Regional Passenger |
Kuwait – Iraq Border |
2h |
2h |
| Freight Services |
Various |
Demand-based |
Various |
Passenger Facilities
Station Categories
| Category |
Number |
Facilities |
Daily Capacity |
| Central |
2 |
Full service |
>100,000 |
| Major |
8 |
Most services |
50,000 |
| Local |
58 |
Basic services |
10,000 |
Service Classes
| Class |
Features |
Capacity Share |
| Premium |
Business class |
15% |
| Standard |
Economy class |
85% |
Freight Infrastructure
Logistics Facilities
| Facility |
Location |
Capacity |
Connection |
| Dry Port |
Kuwait City |
800,000 TEU/year |
Rail-Port |
| Logistics Center |
Shuwaikh |
500,000 TEU/year |
Multi-modal |
| Industrial Hub |
Al-Jahra |
300,000 TEU/year |
Rail–Road |
Freight Capacity
| Type |
Annual Capacity |
Growth Projection |
| Containers |
1.5M TEU |
5% annually |
| Bulk Cargo |
25M tons |
3% annually |
| General Cargo |
10M tons |
4% annually |
Future Development
Phase 1 (2025-2027)
- Metro Line 1 construction
- National rail preliminary works
- Station development
- Systems integration
Phase 2 (2027-2030)
- Additional metro lines
- National rail completion
- GCC railway connection
- Full network integration
