Egypt and Saudi Arabia advance trade links with bridge plan

Egypt’s Transport Minister has confirmed that a long-envisioned bridge linking Egypt and Saudi Arabia across the Gulf of Aqaba has been officially approved, Reuters reports. The move supports Egypt’s broader strategy to integrate its railway network into Asia-Europe trade routes and boost regional infrastructure. Saudi architects have also revealed a dramatic 20 km bridge-tunnel concept, New Atlas reports, that would carry vehicles, rail, and pipelines between Tabuk and Sinai.

Together, the projects mark a strategic shift toward multimodal connectivity, bypassing chokepoints like the Suez Canal and bolstering trade resilience. Egypt aims to position itself as a key logistics hub connecting the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Gulf, while Saudi Arabia continues its push to modernize transport corridors under Vision 2030. If realized, the bridge could unlock new commercial flows, reduce shipping dependency, and deepen economic integration across the Middle East and North Africa.