Saudi Arabia tenders airport + railway projects: The Saudi government is seeking bids for projects aimed at expanding airport and railway capacities, Meed reported last week (here and here). A SAR 4 bn project will double-track the phosphate railway network, while King Salman Int’l Airport is looking to award a 30-year concession for a new fuel facility.

#1- Expanding phos-freight capacity: Saudi Arabia Railways has issued a tender for a contract worth over SAR 4 bn (c. USD 1 bn) to double-track its phosphate railway network. The 100 km project — for whom ARX is consulting — aims to connect Waad Al Shamal mines to Ras Al Khair in the Eastern Province. This entails alignment changes, new utility bridges, widening of culverts and hydrological structures, as well as converting AZ1 station’s siding to a mainline track. The deadline to submit bids is 20 January 2026.

More to come: The project reportedly comprises the first of four projects expected to overhaul the country’s phosphate rail infrastructure, with the upcoming tenders focusing on a second section of track doubling and building the associated depot.

Part of the bigger mining picture: The government’s significant expansion of rail capacity directly supports the increased industrial and mining investment in Wa’ad Al Shamal. This investment is currently valued at over SAR 80 bn, with future phosphate projects slated to boost the total commitment by an additional SAR 50 bn. The construction of the Phosphate 3 project in Wa’ad Al Shamal is expected to increase Saudi Arabia’s annual phosphate production to 9 mn tons.

ICYMI: Saudi Arabia approved the doubling of the Saudi Arabia Railways’ North Train Freight Line with an investment of some SAR 4 bn last year. The 1.5k km freight line — previously called the North-South Railway — is the country’s longest railway and supports mining operations.

#2- King Salman Int’l Airport to get added fuel capacity: PIF-owned King Salman International Airport Development Company is looking to award a 30-year concession at King Salman International Airport, which will establish aircraft fuel storage facilities, distribution networks, and hydrant systems for new parking areas for aircraft. The project consists of a public-private partnership operating on a design, build, finance, operate, and maintain basis.

That’s not all: The project will also consist of a new into-plane service facility and aviation fuel farm, which will include six above-ground storage tanks providing 130k cbm of capacity by 2050 and 24 fuel pumps.

The timeline: The project’s first phase is expected to complete construction by early 2029 and reach financial close by the end of 2026. The investment ticket was not disclosed. Bids must be submitted before 1 March 2026.

ICYMI– The King Salman International Airport — an expansion of the capital’s King Khalid International Airport — is poised to be one of the world’s largest, to accommodate up to 120 mn passengers by 2030 and 185 mn passengers by 2050.

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