Egypt, October 2026 – Egypt is advancing a major railway project intended to strengthen its position as a regional logistics hub and improve connections between its Red Sea and Mediterranean ports. The first phase will link Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea with Alexandria and Marsa Matrouh on the Mediterranean, passing through the Cairo region, with passenger operations scheduled to begin in July 2027.
The initial corridor will include 21 stations and serve both passenger and freight traffic. Plans include 15 high-speed trains capable of reaching 250 kilometres per hour, 34 regional trains operating at up to 160 kilometres per hour, and 14 freight locomotives. A dedicated railway connection of approximately six kilometres will link Ain Sokhna station with its seaport, while connections to Mediterranean port facilities will support onward freight movements towards European markets.
The project is intended to complement the Suez Canal rather than replace it, providing additional options for moving goods across Egypt. Disruptions to commercial shipping in the Red Sea have prompted some operators to divert vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing journey times. By linking ports through rail infrastructure, Egypt aims to offer freight operators greater flexibility while improving domestic connectivity and reducing pressure on existing railway services.
The wider network is valued at approximately €8.1 billion (US$8.8 billion), with Siemens Mobility supplying rolling stock, signalling, electrification and traffic management systems, as well as maintenance services. Its order includes 41 Velaro high-speed trains, 94 Desiro HC regional trains and 41 Vectron electric locomotives. Beyond the first corridor, the programme includes a proposed 1,100-kilometre route connecting the Cairo region with Abu Simbel near the Sudanese border, alongside additional links serving Red Sea destinations and ports near Hurghada and Safaga.
The development highlights Egypt’s strategy to integrate railway infrastructure with maritime logistics and regional passenger transport. The project’s longer-term value will depend on effective port connections, reliable operations and coordinated freight handling across transport modes. If delivered as planned, the network could strengthen Egypt’s role in regional trade while expanding rail’s contribution to domestic mobility and supply-chain resilience.
Source: TravelMole
Egypt Develops Red Sea–Mediterranean Rail Corridor for Freight and Passenger Transport
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Railway investment is increasingly being used to strengthen supply-chain resilience by connecting seaports, industrial centres and inland markets through integrated transport networks. Egypt is developing a 2,000-kilometre electrified railway system, with its first 660-kilometre corridor designed to connect the Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts while expanding domestic passenger services and freight capacity.
