Transport in Kuwait
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
As a small country, local transport in Kuwait is largely road-based with one car for every 2.25 people. Bus services make up Kuwait's entire public transport network. There are seven airports in Kuwait, the largest of which and solely allocated for civil use is Kuwait International Airport. The Gulf Railway is currently under planning in Kuwait.{{citation|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJoD-HhK-9o&t=3s| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/GJoD-HhK-9o| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|title=برنامج كويت التنمية .. ابرز مشاريع التنمية في البلاد|date=12 April 2021}}{{cbignore}} Kuwait has several maritime ports along the coast of the Persian Gulf, the largest port is Mubarak Al Kabeer Port which is currently under construction.
During the First Gulf War, a lot of Kuwait's infrastructure was damaged or destroyed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/iraq-destruction-of-a-nation-part-2-kuwait-and-the-consequences/a-60790362|title=Iraq - Part 2: Kuwait and the consequences}}
Road transport
{{main|Roads in Kuwait}}
As a nation with one car per 2.25 people,{{cite web|url=https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_944.html#traffic_safety|title=TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS|publisher=Bureau of Consular Affairs|access-date=17 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216191724/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_944.html#traffic_safety|archive-date=16 February 2013|url-status=dead}} Kuwait relies heavily on its road network for transportation. The total length of paved and unpaved roads was 6,524 km in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IS.ROD.TOTL.KM|title=Roads, total network (km) |publisher=World Bank|access-date=17 March 2013}} Traffic congestion is common throughout the day, particularly in Kuwait City.{{cite news|url=http://news.kuwaittimes.net/2012/12/06/kuwaits-traffic-nightmare-mpw-sees-hurdles-in-executing-projects/|title=Kuwait's traffic nightmare – MPW sees hurdles in executing projects|work=Kuwait Times|date=6 December 2012|access-date=17 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209041108/http://news.kuwaittimes.net/2012/12/06/kuwaits-traffic-nightmare-mpw-sees-hurdles-in-executing-projects/|archive-date=9 December 2012}}
The country's public transport network consists entirely of bus routes. The state-owned Kuwait Public Transportation Company was established in 1962. It runs local bus routes across Kuwait.{{cite web|url=http://www.kptc.com.kw/newenglish/services.html|title=Public Transport Services|publisher=Kuwait Public Transportation Company|access-date=17 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429233548/http://kptc.com.kw/newenglish/services.html|archive-date=29 April 2013}} The main private bus company is CityBus, which operates about 28 routes across the country. Another private bus company, Kuwait Gulf Link Public Transport Services, was started in 2006. It runs local bus routes across Kuwait and longer distance services to neighbouring Arab countries.{{cite web|url=http://www.kglpts.com|title=Public Transport Services|publisher=KGL|access-date=13 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202091806/http://www.kglpts.com/|archive-date=2 February 2011}}
Ports and harbors
Kuwait lies on the Persian Gulf and ports include: Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud, and Mubarak Al Kabeer Port.
=Mubarak Al Kabeer Port=
{{Main|Mubarak Al Kabeer Port}}
Under China's Belt and Road Initiative, the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port is part of the first phase of the Silk City project.{{cite web|title=China and Kuwait to Build New Port|website=Port Technology|date=21 February 2019|url=https://www.porttechnology.org/news/china_and_kuwait_to_build_new_port/}}{{cite web|title=Phase One of Kuwait's BRI-Backed US$130 Billion Silk City Opens|work=Hong Kong Trade Development Council|date=10 June 2019|url=https://beltandroad.hktdc.com/en/insights/phase-one-kuwaits-bri-backed-us130-billion-silk-city-opens}} As of 2021, the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port is currently under construction.{{cite web|title=الأشغال تنتظر مقاول ميناء مبارك لتسلم المرحلة الأولى ابتدائياً|website=Al Rai|date=30 March 2021|url=https://www.alraimedia.com/article/1528354/محليات/أخبار-محلية/الأشغال-تنتظر-مقاول-ميناء-مبارك-لتسلم-المرحلة-الأولى-ابتدائ|language=ar}}{{cite web|author=Ranju Warrier|title=Elsewedy Electric unit bags $53.2m contract for Kuwait's Boubyan substation|website=Construction Week|date=19 February 2021|url=https://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-and-tenders/270759-elsewedy-electric-unit-bags-532m-contract-for-kuwaits-boubyan-substation}}{{cite web|title=المجلس الوزراء الكويتي يعقد اجتماعه الاسبوعي - حكومة - 15/03/2021 - كونا|website=Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)|date=15 March 2021|url=https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2964229&language=ar|quote=ثم أحيط مجلس الوزراء علماً بتوصية اللجنة بشأن إفادة وزير الأشغال العامة عن الأعمال التنفيذية لتشغيل المرحلة الأولى من مشروع ميناء مبارك الكبير، والترتيبات القانونية والإدارية والتعاقدية لتنفيذه|language=ar}}{{cite web|title=جهاز الحرير وبوبيان يستكمل ميناء مبارك الكبير بعد... 2024|website=Al Rai|date=26 April 2021|url=https://www.alraimedia.com/article/1532402/محليات/جهاز-الحرير-وبوبيان-يستكمل-ميناء-مبارك-الكبير-بعد-2024|language=ar}}{{cite web|title=Kuwait Quarterly Newsletter - Issue 4 January 2021|date=18 February 2021|page=5|url=https://www.rsm.global/kuwait/sites/default/files/media/news/Publications/kuwait_quarterly_newsletter_-_issue_4.pdf}} In September 2020, it was reported that the port was 53% complete.{{cite web|title=Kuwait SCPD provides updates on $10.4bn worth of projects|website=Middle East Construction News|date=20 September 2020|url=https://meconstructionnews.com/43441/kuwait-scpd-provides-updates-on-10-4bn-worth-of-projects|quote=On the other projects, the top Kuwaiti official said the work on Mubarak Al Kabeer Port project had reached 52.7% completion}}{{cite web|title=New Kuwait - Developed Infrastructure|website=New Kuwait|url=https://www.newkuwait.gov.kw/r2.aspx}} In March 2021, it was announced that Kuwait and Pakistan will develop linkages between Pakistan's Gwadar Port and Mubarak Al Kabeer Port.{{cite web|title=Pakistan, Kuwait agree to develop linkages b/w Gwadar & Mubarak Al Kabeer Port|website=radio.gov.pk|date=18 March 2021|url=https://radio.gov.pk/18-03-2021/pakistan-kuwait-agree-to-develop-linkages-bw-gwadar-mubarak-al-kabeer-port}}{{cite web|title=Pakistan, Kuwait agree to strengthen links between Gwadar, Mubarak Al Kabeer ports|website=arabnews.pk|date=19 March 2021|url=https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1828076/pakistan}} In April 2021, the port's first phase was completed (4 berths). As part of Mubarak Al Kabeer Port's development, Bubiyan Island will contain power plants and substations.{{cite web|title=Connecting Boubyan Island Area in Kuwait|publisher=Elsewedy Electric|date=March 2021|url=https://www.elsewedyelectric.com/en/news-room/connecting-boubyan-island-area-in-kuwait/}}{{cite web|title=Kuwait's MEW to float tender for transmission stations|website=Zawya|date=23 March 2021|url=https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/business/story/Kuwaits_MEW_to_float_tender_for_transmission_stations-SNG_205175381/}}{{cite web|title=Elsewedy unit inks project in Kuwait|website=Zawya|date=17 February 2021|url=https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/business/story/Elsewedy_unit_inks_project_in_Kuwait-SNG_200852215/}} A 5,000-megawatt power plant has already been built in Subiya,{{cite web|title=Kuwait inaugurates massive causeway to free trade zone|website=France24|date=1 May 2019|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190501-kuwait-inaugurates-massive-causeway-free-trade-zone}} the Subiya power plant is the largest power plant in Kuwait.{{cite web|title=GE's Gas Turbine Upgrades Increase Output And Efficiency at Kuwait's Sabiya West CCGT 2,000 MW Power Plant|work=Utilities Middle East|url=https://www.utilities-me.com/news/13425-ges-gas-turbine-upgrades-increase-output-and-efficiency-at-kuwaits-sabiya-west-ccgt-2000-mw-power-plant|date=24 July 2019}}{{cite web|title=Sabiya West Combined-Cycle Power Plant|url=https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/projects/sabiya-west-combined-cycle-power-plant/|work=NS Energy}}{{cite web|title=Kuwait's Sabiya Power Plant at Full Power to Meet Country's Summer Peak Electricity Demands|url=https://www.ge.com/news/press-releases/kuwaits-sabiya-power-plant-full-power-meet-countrys-summer-peak-electricity-demands|work=General Electric}} Mubarak Al Kabeer Port is among Kuwait's largest infrastructure projects in 2021.{{cite web|title= الوطني: 40% منها ترتبط بالبناء والتشييد|website=Al-Anba|date=25 April 2021|url=https://www.alanba.com.kw/ar/economy-news/1038824/25-04-2021--مليارات-دينار-المشاريع-المخطط-تنفيذها-/|language=ar}}{{cite web|title=الأشغال: طرح 92 عقداً خلال العام المالي 2021 / 2022 |website=Al-Anba|date=2 May 2021|url=https://www.alanba.com.kw/ar/kuwait-news/municipal-council/1040561/02-05-2021-الأشغال-طرح-عقدا-خلال-العام-المالي-/|language=ar}} There is a current road project connecting Mubarak Al Kabeer Port's first phase to the existing road network in Bubiyan Island.{{cite web|title=الأشغال تُسلّم "شركة كوبري" موقع عمل طريق ميناء مبارك - بوبيان مطلع ديسمبر|website=Al Rai|date=22 November 2020|url=https://www.alraimedia.com/article/1509234/محليات/أخبار-محلية/الأشغال-تسلم-شركة-كوبري-موقع-عمل-طريق-ميناء-مبارك---بوبيان-مطلع-ديسمبر|language=ar}} Mubarak Al Kabeer Port's fire stations are currently under development.{{cite web|title=أكاديمية الكويت لعلوم الإطفاء... الصرح الثالث على مستوى العالم|website=Al Rai|date=18 April 2021|url=https://www.alraimedia.com/article/1531173/محليات/لقاءات-وتحقيقات/أكاديمية-الكويت-لعلوم-الإطفاء-الصرح-الثالث-على-مستوى-العالم|language=ar|quote=بالإضافة إلى مركزي إطفاء بري وبحري في جزيرة بوبيان في ميناء مبارك، بالتعاون مع وزارة الأشغال}} The port is set to be environmentally sustainable.{{cite web|title=GSAS to be adopted in Kuwait following a strategic partnership between GORD and NTEC.|website=e-mc2.gr|date=18 April 2019|url=https://www.e-mc2.gr/el/news/gsas-be-adopted-kuwait-following-strategic-partnership-between-gord-and-ntec}}
= Merchant marine=
total:
38 ships (1000 GT or over) 2,294,233 GT/3,730,776 DWT
ships by type:
bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, container 6, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 4, petroleum tanker 20
foreign-owned: 1 (Iran 1)
registered in other countries:29 (Bahrain 3, Comoros 1, Liberia 1, Libya 1, Panama 2, Qatar 7, Saudi Arabia 6, UAE 8) (2005)
Airports
{{main|List of airports in Kuwait}}
=Overview=
There are seven airports, the largest of which and solely allocated for civil use is Kuwait International Airport. Kuwait International Airport recently inaugurated two new terminals to cater to Kuwait-based airlines. Moreover, the largest Kuwait International Airport terminal (Terminal 2) is currently under construction and will expand the airport's overall capacity by 25–50 million passengers per year.{{cite web|title=Kuwait International Airport New Terminal|work=Airport Technology|url=https://www.airport-technology.com/projects/kuwait-international-airport-new-terminal/}} The new terminal is environmentally sustainable.{{cite web|title=Kuwait seeks to list Terminal 2 as environmentally friendly|work=Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)|url=https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2970060&language=en|date=8 April 2021}} It is one of the world's largest environment friendly airport projects.{{cite web|url=http://80.241.146.114/gulfconstruction/news/1625946_Eyeing-the-private-sector.html|date=1 June 2021|title=Eyeing the private sector|work=Gulf Construction}}
= Airports - with paved runways =
- Total: 4
- over 3,047 m: 1
- 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
- 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
= Airports - with unpaved runways =
- Total: 3
- 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
- under 914 m: 2 (2005)
= Heliports =
- 12 (2023)
= Kuwait-based Airlines =
{{Main|List of airlines of Kuwait}}
This is a list of airlines currently operating in Kuwait.
Railways
=Gulf Railway=
Kuwait City will form one terminus of the Gulf Railway, a {{convert|2000|km|mi|abbr=on}} railway network which will run from Kuwait to Oman, via cities across the Persian Gulf. As of 2021, the Gulf Railway project is currently under construction in Kuwait.
Mubarak Al Kabeer Port in Bubiyan Island is part of the Gulf Railway.{{citation|url=https://alqabas.com/article/5857193-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%AB-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%83%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%82%D9%84-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF|title=الحكومة تبحث عن كلفة أقل لمشروع سكة الحديد|website=Al Qabas|date=19 July 2021|language=ar}}
=Metro=
{{main|Kuwait Metropolitan Rapid Transit System Project}}
The Kuwait Metropolitan Rapid Transit System Project was a planned four-line metro network covering 160 km with 69 stations.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-01-13 |title=Planned Kuwait metro to stretch over 160kms and have 68 stations |url=https://kuwaittimes.com/planned-kuwait-metro-to-stretch-over-160kms-and-have-68-stations |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Kuwait Times |language=en}} The project was meant to solve the increasing congestion to the country's roads.{{citation|url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/kuwaitmetrosystem/|title=Kuwait Metro System, Kuwait City, Kuwait|publisher=railway-technology.com|access-date=16 March 2013}} The project was eventually cancelled in 2023, citing financial burden.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-14 |title=Financial Burdens Leading To Cancellation Of Kuwait Metro |url=https://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/financial-burdens-leading-to-cancellation-of-kuwait-metro/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Arab Times |language=en}}
See also
{{Portal|Railways|Kuwait}}
References
{{reflist}}