The long-awaited GCC Railway Project is starting to take shape. The GCC Railway will connect the six GCC member states by 2,200km of railway track running through key cities in each GCC nation. The development of the GCC Railway project promotes each GCC nation's individual efforts to expand their local transport infrastructure, with each nation being responsible for the construction of the portion of the line that lies within its territory. Qatar has already launched the Doha Metro, with great success transporting millions of fans during the FIFA World Cup 2022 and plans to continue its success with the implementation of its portion of the railway connecting Qatar and Saudi Arabia. 

The success of any infrastructure project is dependent on the legal framework in place to enable the successful implementation and operation of the project. Whilst each GCC nation has its own laws, it is important that a unified legal framework is implemented at GCC level to regulate the GCC Railway.

The importance of a unified transport law across the GCC was recognised in 2019, which aims to promote harmonisation and the development of freight and passenger transport between the GCC countries. The introduction of a unified transport law could transform the entire transport system, and this would involve updating regulations and technical requirements in each GCC nation to ensure they are consistent and aligned. Such law may include provisions concerning: 

• Freight carriage contracts, consignment notes, passenger carriage contracts, transportation of dangerous goods, railway infrastructure and railway rolling stock
• Packaging, loading, delivery and disposal of goods
• Liability for loss or damage to goods and delays
• Insurance
• Procedure for settlement of claims and resolution of disputes

A unified transport law could: 

• Clarify issues relating to the formation of contracts, and the rights, obligations and liabilities of the parties involved and participating GCC nations 
• Help create a single, clear and predicable legal environment for rail transport between the GCC
• Give rail operators and their customers the ability to move freight and passengers across the GCC in a quick, cost-effective manner, based on a uniform legal regime with minimal administrative burden

Please feel free to get in touch with any of our key contacts if you are interested to know more in relation to the possible impact of new cross-border laws on the GCC Rail Project.