Egypt builds high-speed rail linking Red Sea and Mediterranean

Egypt is pressing ahead with construction of its first high-speed electric railway, a project officials say will create a direct land link between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

Leaders have described it as a “Suez Canal on rails,” underscoring its role in trade and transport. 

The government sees the line as a key part of its economic reform program, which has focused heavily on infrastructure spending.

With global supply chains under strain in recent years, Cairo is betting that faster rail connections will help move goods more efficiently across the country. 

Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir said the railway will serve as an electrified corridor connecting major coastal gateways.

Beyond freight, the network is also expected to cut travel times for passengers and support new cities rising along the route. 

The first phase will link Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea with Alamein and Matrouh on the Mediterranean coast, forming the backbone of a wider high-speed rail network.

Major maintenance hub takes shape 

During a recent inspection, al-Wazir reviewed progress at the October Gardens workshop, a 578-acre facility that will oversee operations and maintenance for the planned network.

The Transport Ministry says the site ranks among the largest rail service centers in the region. 

Two consortia are leading the work. A partnership between Orascom and Al Rowad is handling civil and infrastructure construction.

A separate group made up of Siemens, Orascom and Arab Contractors is responsible for track installation, signaling, electrification and control systems. 

The complex will include 46 buildings, among them a 67,000-square-meter heavy maintenance facility and a central control center.

It will have capacity to store up to 50 trains and locomotives.

Track work advances across sectors 

The National Authority for Tunnels said more than 88 kilometers of track have been installed in the East Nile sector, with additional sections progressing in the West Nile and northern areas.

Parts of the line have been handed over to the Siemens-led team for ballast and catenary work. 

Officials say the project supports Egypt’s National Climate Strategy and Vision 2030, with a focus on cleaner transport and lower emissions.

The government also expects the railway to draw investment and improve links between established cities and new developments.