Syria begins to rebuild freight rail network

Syria has reportedly begun rebuilding its freight railway network with neighbours Iraq and Turkey, a government official said.

Domestic plans include rehabilitating suspended railway lines, particularly the Aleppo to Damascus route, Abdul Hadi Al-Shahada, director of media at the Syrian transport ministry, told Shafaq News.

Authorities aim to triple current freight train speeds to 100-120km per hour, he said.

The plan also included restoring rail connections with Iraq, including the Deir Ez-Zor-Al-Bukamal line, Al-Shahada said. 

However, priority is being given to linking Syria’s rail network with Turkey and upgrading the line connecting phosphate mines to the port of Tartus to accommodate higher volumes.

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Major challenges include shortages of railway materials, specialised equipment, technical staff and funding, the report said.

In October transport minister Yarub Badr told CNBC that Syria needs $5.5 billion to repair and upgrade its railways to international standards, as only 1,052km of the 2,800 km network is currently operational.

This month Baghdad and Damascus resumed discussions about an $8 billion project to restart a defunct pipeline that previously carried crude oil from Iraq to a Syrian port on the Mediterranean Sea.