Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq Activate Arab Trade Route to Avoid Red Sea Navigational Risks

The Ministries of Transport in Egypt and Jordan will begin implementing the work of an Arab Trade Line to contribute to the transport of goods between Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and the Gulf countries by land.

In this project, a railway line is used extending from Jordan and Amman to the Aqaba region, passing through the ports of Taba and Nuweiba in the south, then heading overland in the northwestern direction until Port Said.

This new Arab route is being implemented by a major company owned by Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, and it is called the “Arab Bridge Maritime". 

Yesterday, the company announced its intention to start implementing the Arab route starting next week as an alternative line after the announcement of a number of major international shipping companies diversion of its route in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Kamel Al-Wazir, the Egyptian Minister of Transport stated that there is room for participants to establish this important trade route to facilitate the process of transporting goods between the Arab countries and the Gulf and European countries, explaining that Jordan’s trade is currently being transported to Egypt through the port of Nuweiba, and through Taba in the future to Al-Arish. , in preparation for the completion of the work of the Arab trade route between member states, according to his previous statements.

Al-Wazir added that the Iraqi Minister of Transport agreed to cooperate with Egypt on the route and announced his readiness to begin development work between the two countries.

The Egyptian Ministry of Transport began work on this path by implementing and developing sea port lines, railway lines, and high way roads as well as developing axes to link the port of Al-Faw on the Gulf in the south to Mosul and Turkey in the north.

The Arab Trade Line contributes to linking the Arabian Gulf region with the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba via Egypt. It is part of the Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to revive ancient land and sea trade routes. With the intention of improving connectivity and cooperation on a broad scale extending across continents.

Egypt is working on the idea of extending a new railway line linking Al-Arish, Taba and eastern Port Said, which will help facilitate goods transportation.

This project will deal a strong blow to the Israeli high-speed train project to connect the Red and Mediterranean Bahrain through the port of Eilat.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that the ambitious Israeli government project, which was included in the government coalition agreements, will cost about 25 billion shekels. The budget for building the line, which is supposed to connect to the train that will pass through other countries.