Egypt is constructing a significant high-speed rail line, named the Green Line, which will span approximately 600 kilometers and connect the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. This project is part of a larger $4.5 billion contract with a consortium that includes the renowned German company Siemens. Current efforts are focused on laying down railway tracks in the desert east of Cairo.
The Green Line is a vital component of a more extensive 2,000-kilometer high-speed railway network aimed at enhancing connections between the country’s seaports, industrial and agricultural zones, logistics hubs, and new urban developments. Egyptian authorities emphasize that this network will notably decrease travel times, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and foster sustainable economic growth.
According to Tarek Goueili, head of the National Authority for Tunnels, this revamped rail network is expected to transport around 15 million tonnes of cargo annually. This volume corresponds to about three percent of last year’s traffic through the Suez Canal, a crucial artery for global shipping. The new rail line will connect Egypt’s Red Sea port of Ain Sokhna with Mediterranean ports in Alexandria and Marsa Matrouh, effectively forming a land-based corridor that complements the existing Suez Canal.
The initiative is seen as a way to continue generating revenue akin to that of the Suez Canal, which is projected to yield $4.2 billion by the end of this year, a rise from $3.9 billion the previous year. Siemens Mobility will provide the Desiro High‑Capacity (HC) passenger train for the network, which recently completed its initial test runs near Cairo.
Siemens CEO Roland Busch expressed pride in contributing to the development of Egypt’s high-speed rail network, which is set to become the sixth largest globally, drastically improving transportation for millions of Egyptians. The Green Line, with a length of 660 kilometers, aims to link Cairo with Ain Sokhna, Alexandria, and Marsa Matrouh, drawing comparisons to the operational Suez Canal.
In terms of future developments, Egypt plans to finalize the high-speed rail link by 2027 or 2028. Following the Green Line, plans are underway for two additional lines: the Blue Line, which will run along the Nile from Cairo to Aswan, and the Red Line, which will connect Hurghada and Safaga to Luxor. This ambitious project not only underscores Egypt’s commitment to modernizing its transport infrastructure but also highlights a move towards more environmentally friendly and efficient transportation systems in the region.