Etihad Rail to Tender $2.3bn Jordan Phosphate Railway in 2026

Etihad Rail, in collaboration with Jordan's Ministry of Transport, is set to open tenders in early 2026 for a monumental $2.3 billion railway project. This 360-kilometre railway line aims to connect the phosphate and potash mining centers of Al-Shidiya and Ghor Al-Safi to the Port of Aqaba. This initiative is part of a larger $5.5 billion investment package involving Jordan and the UAE, with Etihad Rail overseeing the design, construction, and operation of the railway. The railway is expected to be operational by 2030, with a capacity to transport up to 16 million tonnes of minerals annually.

Project Overview

• Line length: 360 km linking Al-Shidiya, Ghor Al-Safi, and Aqaba port

• Annual freight: 16 million tonnes (13 million phosphate, 3 million potash)

• Investment: $2.3 billion, part of a broader $5.5 billion regional package

• Scope: Track, terminals for loading/ unloading, rolling stock, plus maintenance and operations

• Key goal: Efficient, cost-effective transport for Jordanian minerals to boost exports and control logistics costs

Conceptual construction site for railway project.

Delivery Partners & Key

Stakeholders

• Developer/operator: Etihad Rail (UAE, working with Jordan Ministry of Transport)

• Investors: UAE Ministry of Investment, Jordan Investment Authority

• Key clients: Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, Arab Potash Company

• Consultants: Alignment studies and railway design by Jordanian and international engineering firms

• Main contractors (TBA): Prequalified EPCs for civil works, rails, signaling, and terminals

• Government involvement: Jordan Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Finance, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority

Train traveling through a scenic area as part of railway expansion.

Construction Details

• Rail corridor runs from the mines to Aqaba through varied terrain, will require earthworks, bridges, and modern freight rail standards

• Terminals at Aqaba, Ghor Al-Safi, and Al-Shidiya, plus possible dry port site at Ma'an

• Fleet of trains to be designed and supplied to international performance and environmental standards

• Operations, maintenance, and digital monitoring contracts available once build-out completes

Timeline

• Detailed studies conclude: By end-2025

• Tendering for main works: Early 2026

• Construction window: 2026-2030

• Operations and export ramp-up: From 2030 onwards

• 
  

Modern train at a newly built terminal station.

Strategic Importance

This rail network will let Jordan move minerals cheaper, safer, and more efficiently, supporting diversification and growth in mining, trades, and logistics.

The direct connection to UAE investment signals strong regional partnership and global best practices coming into the country's infrastructure.

As one of Jordan's largest-ever transport projects, it will create jobs, improve logistics, and support new market opportunities in mining and rail.

Construction Opportunities

• EPC contracts for rail, earthworks, bridges, and terminals

• Rolling stock procurement and maintenance bids

• Environmental and permitting consultants

• Smart infrastructure and digital monitoring supply

• Local subcontracting and supply-chain development

Writer's Opinion

Etihad Rail's engagement with Jordan's phosphate rail system is a really big step, not just for the two countries, but for the whole region. Linking mines and ports by rail is a smart move-it cuts costs, lifts export muscle, and brings new work for contractors with specialised skills. For industry pros, there's much more here than tracks and terminals: you get a chance to help shape the future of Middle East logistics and set new standards for how mining and transport work together. Watch for the tender alerts, learn from the regional partnerships, and be ready to bring your best game to a project with true strategic impact.