New Intermodal Trade Corridor Via Port of NEOM Halves Transit Time Between Egypt and Iraq

The Port of NEOM successfully trialed a new intra-regional corridor connecting key trading hubs in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iraq. The initiative, has reduced shipment transit time by half compared to traditional routes.

The first shipments departed from Cairo for Safaga Port and then went across the Red Sea to the Port of NEOM before continuing overland to their destination in Erbil, Iraq, covering over 900 kilometers.

The project’s success exemplifies effective integration among various governmental and regulatory bodies and private-sector partners including shipowners, key exporters and importers, export councils, and logistics companies.

The initiative not only highlights efficiency gains achievable through collaboration but also signals the broader potential to significantly reduce costs and transit times across other regional and global trade corridors.

The port's strategic geographical location on the Red Sea, near the Arar border, serves as a primary entry point into Iraq.

By linking critical inland logistics corridors, it facilitates seamless trade flows between Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, unlocking new opportunities for cross-border commerce and economic growth.

The new corridor enhances the nation’s position as a central global logistics hub and supports the Saudi Vision 2030 goal of building a diversified economy, through the development of a world-class, integrated logistics ecosystem, linking ports, roads and customs centers.

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