Trade corridors

Freight trains from Saudi Gulf ports to the Jordan border — and where Syria stands on the rail map

Saudi Arabia Railways has launched an international container corridor linking Eastern Province ports to the Al-Haditha crossing on the Jordan border. A rail link to Turkey through Jordan and Syria is being studied. Cargo from the Gulf to Syria still moves by truck through Nasib today.

Dammam and Jubail → Al-HadithaOver 400 containers per trainSyria: the missing link to Turkey

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Published 2026-11-06 · MIDTRANS SHIPPING AND SERVICES

Reviewed by Khaldoun Al-Khouli, General Manager

The corridor

From Dammam and Jubail to the Al-Haditha crossing on the Jordan border.

Capacity

Trains carrying over 400 containers, in both directions.

Turkey link

A feasibility study for Saudi Arabia–Turkey rail through Jordan and Syria.

For Syria today

Cargo from the Gulf still moves by truck through Nasib.

The corridor

From Eastern Province ports to the Jordan border

Saudi Arabia Railways has launched an international rail freight corridor linking King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, Jubail Commercial Port and King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail with the Al-Haditha crossing on the border with Jordan, Arab News reported.

The corridor can run trains carrying more than 400 containers each, and it is designed for both directions, so goods can return to the ports over the same network.

Dammam and Jubail to Al-Haditha
Over 400 containers per train
Both directions

Jordan

Jordan is the link between the Gulf and Syria

The Saudi corridor ends at Al-Haditha on the Jordanian border, and cargo continues by road from there. Jordan's crossings and roads therefore remain the link between the Gulf ports and the Syrian border, by truck today and by rail if the connection is completed later.

Syria

Saudi–Turkey rail: the missing sections are in Syria and Jordan

Turkey's transport minister told Al Arabiya in June 2026 that the only missing sections of a Saudi Arabia–Turkey rail link are in Syria and Jordan. Saudi Transport Minister Saleh Al-Jasser said a feasibility study for the link is expected before the end of the year.

We covered the Saudi–Syrian agreements and studies in Overland corridors to Syria and Iraq. Rail through Syria is still at the study stage, with no construction date announced.

For shippers

What this means for your cargo to Syria today

There is no rail service into Syria today. Cargo from the Gulf to Syria moves by truck through Saudi Arabia and Jordan to the Nasib crossing, and that is what we plan on for our customers.

MIDTRANS organises land freight from the UAE and Saudi Arabia to Syria, with border paperwork and customs clearance. We follow these new corridors and will offer them to customers when they become available for their cargo.

Cargo to Syria moves by truck today
Rail through Syria is still a study
We follow the new corridors for you

Sources

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where does the Saudi rail freight corridor start and end?

It starts at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and the two Jubail ports, and ends at the Al-Haditha crossing on the Jordan border.

How many containers does one train carry?

More than 400, according to Arab News, and the corridor is designed for both directions.

Can cargo go to Syria by rail now?

No. Cargo from the Gulf to Syria moves by truck through Jordan and the Nasib crossing; rail through Syria is still being studied.

When will the Saudi–Turkey rail study be finished?

The Saudi transport minister said it is expected before the end of the year. No construction date has been announced.

Shipping from the Gulf to Syria?

Send us the cargo and the loading point, and we will propose the best route, confirm its status and quote the price.

Request a freight quote Contact our operations desk