Jordan-UAE railway joint venture holds inaugural board meeting, elects Thneibat as chairman

The UAE-Jordanian Railway Company held its inaugural constituent board meeting on Tuesday to finalise the foundational and administrative framework for a landmark $2.3 billion logistics project that will build a 360-kilometre railway linking key mining areas to the Industrial Port in Aqaba. Mohammad Thneibat, chairman of the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC), was elected chairman of the board, and the board moved to initiate formal company registration in accordance with legal requirements.

"The strategic depth of the fraternal relations between Jordan and the United Arab Emirates" underpins the venture, Thneibat said, underscoring that the partnership "is a direct result of the vision established by the leadership of both nations to foster multi-sectoral development." He also expressed appreciation for the Etihad Rail team and the legal and technical committees, saying their "combined efforts were instrumental in bringing the cross-border infrastructure project to fruition."

Project structure and participants

The project is structured as an equal partnership between Jordanian and Emirati entities. Jordan's 50% stake is held collectively by:

• Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC)
• Arab Potash Company
• Government Investments Management Company
• Social Security Investment Fund

The United Arab Emirates' 50% stake is represented by L'Imad Holding, an investment platform linked to the Abu Dhabi government. Etihad Rail played a technical and advisory role in early stages, and legal and technical committees supported the venture's formation.

Technical scope and expected throughput

The railway network will comprise two primary tracks serving production hubs in the Shidiya and Ghor al-Safi regions and is designed to carry approximately 16 million tonnes of minerals annually once operational. Projected annual volumes include about 13 million tonnes of phosphate and 2.6 million tonnes of potash.

By directly linking phosphate and potash mines to the Industrial Port of Aqaba, the railway aims to streamline logistics for Jordan's mining sector, reduce transport costs and increase export capacity. Officials involved in the board meeting emphasised the project's role in enhancing the competitiveness of the Kingdom's mineral exports by moving bulk commodities more efficiently to deep-water shipping facilities in Aqaba.

Next steps and timeline outlook

At the inaugural meeting the board authorised the initiation of formal registration procedures for the new company in line with legal requirements, a necessary administrative step before contracting and detailed engineering advance. With the governance framework now in place and Thneibat at the helm, stakeholders will focus on completing regulatory registration, finalising financing arrangements for the $2.3 billion build cost, and progressing technical design and procurement phases.

Officials expect the joint venture to move steadily from planning to execution, with the immediate priorities being legal incorporation, permitting, and coordination with Etihad Rail and other technical partners to prepare for construction of the 360-kilometre network that will serve Jordan's phosphate and potash export corridors.