Saudi Arabia launches first regional hydrogen train trials: SAR CEO

Bashar AlMalik, CEO of Saudi Railway Co. (SAR)

Bashar AlMalik, CEO of Saudi Railway Co. (SAR), said the Kingdom launched the first hydrogen train trials in the region, as part of its commitment to deliver on the sustainability goals. 

The move aims to identify the technical and operational requirements to adopt this technology in the region and create regional standards, he said in a panel discussion at the Global Logistics Forum.

"More than 8,000 kilometers will be added to our network in the coming years, which includes that Saudi Land Bridge project and the GCC rail network," AlMalik added.

He invited the private sector to study the investment opportunities in the railway sector, pointing to the Kingdom’s successful partnerships with the private sector, such as the Riyadh Dry Port.

In October 2023, SAR signed a deal with France’s Alstom to conduct hydrogen train trials for the first time in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region, according to data available with Argaam.