The GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) railway, linking six Arab states, stands to transform the Middle East business environment though some say all could come fail because of a lack of customs connectivity.
Schenker vice president Andy Vargockzy said that "I think that is the game changer for the Gulf Co-operation Council in terms of productivity, in terms of capacity."
Views on the railway were exchanged at the recent Containerisation International's Global Liner Shipping Middle East and Indian Subcontinent conference in Dubai.
Creating new rail lines to link Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE would invite manufacturers to set up factories by improving hinterland links, say proponents.
"Unless that GCC rail network really starts happening we will not see a game-changer. But it is coming and will increase the attractiveness of the region," said DP World UAE commercial chief Dirk Van Den Bosch.
Sohar Port and Free Zone Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andre Toet agreed: "It will only work if your rules and regulations support it and that is a major issue. The GCC should have very smooth customs regulations as soon as a train has to stop at a border checkpoint, the whole benefit has gone.
Toet said there needs to be wide agreement between customs and governments and the various IT platforms need to talk to each other.
He said that "It's a very important point and a worry."