Editing Transport in Kuwait

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is a legitimate description when the title is already adequate; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{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.<ref name=gcc_railway>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== Road transport==
{{main|Roads in Kuwait}}
As a nation with one car per 2.25 people,<ref name=USTravel>{{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}}</ref> Kuwait relies heavily on its road network for transportation. The total length of paved and unpaved roads was 6,524&nbsp;km in 2009.<ref name=WorldBank>{{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}}</ref> [[Traffic congestion]] is common throughout the day, particularly in [[Kuwait City]].<ref name=TrafficJams>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref name=KPTC>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=KGL>{{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}}</ref>

== Ports and harbors ==
[[File:Ash Shu'aybah port.jpg|thumb|The Ash Shu'aybah port]]
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 [[Madinat al-Hareer|Silk City]] project.<ref name="beltroad2">{{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/}}</ref><ref name="bri">{{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}}</ref> As of 2021, the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port is currently under construction.<ref name="phase">{{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}}</ref><ref name="constructionweek">{{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}}</ref><ref name="kun">{{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}}</ref><ref name="full">{{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}}</ref><ref name="date">{{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}}</ref> In September 2020, it was reported that the port was 53% complete.<ref name="completion">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New Kuwait - Developed Infrastructure|website=New Kuwait|url=https://www.newkuwait.gov.kw/r2.aspx}}</ref> In March 2021, it was announced that Kuwait and Pakistan will develop linkages between Pakistan's [[Gwadar Port]] and Mubarak Al Kabeer Port.<ref name="pk">{{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}}</ref><ref name="pka">{{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}}</ref> In April 2021, the port's first phase was completed (4 berths).<ref name="full" /> As part of Mubarak Al Kabeer Port's development, [[Bubiyan Island]] will contain power plants and substations.<ref name="boubyan">{{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/}}</ref><ref name="constructionweek" /><ref name="mew">{{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/}}</ref><ref name="elsew">{{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/}}</ref> A 5,000-megawatt power plant has already been built in [[Subiya, Kuwait|Subiya]],<ref name="suba">{{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}}</ref> the Subiya power plant is the largest power plant in Kuwait.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sabiya West Combined-Cycle Power Plant|url=https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/projects/sabiya-west-combined-cycle-power-plant/|work=NS Energy}}</ref><ref>{{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]]}}</ref> Mubarak Al Kabeer Port is among Kuwait's largest infrastructure projects in 2021.<ref name="april">{{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}}</ref><ref name="anba">{{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}}</ref> There is a current road project connecting Mubarak Al Kabeer Port's first phase to the existing road network in Bubiyan Island.<ref name="road">{{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}}</ref><ref name="full" /> Mubarak Al Kabeer Port's [[fire station]]s are currently under development.<ref name="Fire_station">{{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}}</ref> The port is set to be environmentally sustainable.<ref name="gsas">{{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}}</ref>

=== Merchant marine===
<br>''total:''
38 ships (1000 GT or over) 2,294,233 GT/3,730,776 DWT 
<br>''ships by type:''
bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, container 6, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 4, petroleum tanker 20 
<br>''foreign-owned:'' 1 (Iran 1) 
<br>''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 [[Kuwait International Airport#Terminals|two new terminals]] to cater to [[List of airlines of Kuwait|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.<ref name="t2">{{cite web|title=Kuwait International Airport New Terminal|work=Airport Technology|url=https://www.airport-technology.com/projects/kuwait-international-airport-new-terminal/}}</ref> The new terminal is environmentally sustainable.<ref name="t2env">{{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}}</ref><ref name="t2" /><ref name="kuwaitvision2035" /> It is one of the world's largest environment friendly airport projects.<ref name="kuwaitvision2035">{{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}}</ref>

=== 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.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- valign="middle"
! Airline
! Arabic name
! Image
! [[Airline codes#IATA airline designator|IATA]]
! [[Airline codes#ICAO airline designator|ICAO]]
! [[Call sign#Aviation|Callsign]]
! [[Airline hub|Hubs]]
! Notes
|-
| [[Jazeera Airways]]
| طيران الجزيرة
| [[File:Jazeera Airways, 9K-CAJ, Airbus A320-214 (39243847214).jpg|100px]]
| J9
| JZR
| JAZEERA
| Kuwait International Airport
|
*The airline commenced operations in 2004.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.azernews.az/business/116016.html|title=Kuwaiti airline starts flights to Baku|date=2017-07-11|work=AzerNews.az|access-date=2017-07-29|language=en-US}}</ref>
*The airline is Kuwait's second national airline after Kuwait Airways.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alternativeairlines.com/jazeera-airways|title=Jazeera Airways {{!}} Book Our Flights Online & Save {{!}} Low-Fares, Offers & More|website=alternativeairlines.com|language=en|access-date=2017-07-29}}</ref>
*The airline is the [[Middle East|Middle East's]] first fully privately owned airline.
|-
| [[Kuwait Airways]]
| الخطوط الجوية الكويتية
| [[File:Kuwait Airways B777-300ER (9K-AOC) @ FRA, Aug 2017 (03).jpg|100px]]
| KU
| KAC
| KUWAITI
| [[Kuwait International Airport]]
|
*The airline commenced operations on 16 March 1954.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kuwaitairways.com/en/about/corporate-profile|title=About Us|website=kuwaitairways.com|language=en|access-date=2017-07-29}}</ref>
*The airline is Kuwait's [[national airline]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://atwonline.com/it-distribution/kuwait-airways-implements-new-ticketing-system|title=Kuwait Airways implements new ticketing system {{!}} IT & Distribution content from ATWOnline|date=2017-05-19|access-date=2017-07-29|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519180007/http://atwonline.com/it-distribution/kuwait-airways-implements-new-ticketing-system|archive-date=2017-05-19}}</ref>
|-
|}

== 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]].<ref name=gcc_railway/> As of 2021, the Gulf Railway project is currently under construction in Kuwait.<ref name=gcc_railway/>

Mubarak Al Kabeer Port in Bubiyan Island is part of the Gulf Railway.<ref name=july2021>{{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}}</ref>

===Metro===
{{main|Kuwait Metropolitan Rapid Transit System Project}}
The Kuwait Metropolitan Rapid Transit System Project was a planned four-line metro network covering 160&nbsp;km with 69 stations.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The project was meant to solve the increasing congestion to the country's roads.<ref name=metro>{{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}}</ref> The project was eventually cancelled in 2023, citing financial burden.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Railways|Kuwait}}
* [[Kuwait]]
* [[Jazeera Airways]]
* [[Wataniya Airways]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Transport in Kuwait|'''Transport in Kuwait'''}}

{{Kuwait topics}}
{{Asia topic|Transport in}}

[[Category:Transport in Kuwait| ]]