The super luxury train is born in Saudi Arabia

Arsenal announces a strategic agreement con Simest (Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Group) for “Dream of the Desert“, the first ultra-luxury train cruise italiano in Saudi Arabiawhich marks the Group’s entry into Middle Eastern market. The operation, explains a note, involves a joint equity investment you seem to 37 million euros by Arsenale and Simest and a financing of 35 million euros provided by Tourism Development Fund saudita.

The project, born following the agreement signed by Arsenale with Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) for the use of the national railway network, envisages the intervention of Simest for 15 million euros through the Infrastructure Section of the 394/81 Fund, the fund – managed in agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – dedicated to Italian companies active in large foreign orders that enhance the national supply chain.

Il progetto Dream of the Desert

The agreement, the note further underlines, “is part of the growing trend economic collaboration” Between Italy and Saudi Arabiastrengthened by the opening of the new Simest a Riyadh and from memorandum of understanding signed between CdpSimest and the Italian-Arab Chamber of Commerce (JIACC). “Dream of the Desert” represents one of the first projects aimed at valorising this partnershipintroducing a distinctive public-private model In the railway sector. Entirely designed, produced and set up in Italiathe train was developed through the industrial hub at ArsenaleCpl in Brindisi and Standgreen in Bergamo, with Italian Railway Yards (CFI) come general contractor of the Arsenale group, responsible for coordinating a network of Italian SMEs highly specialized in the sectors of designfrom the advanced mechanicsdell’engineeringof the luxury and of thehospitality.

“Dream of the Desert it’s a symbol project for our Group and forinternational railway industry. Value them Italian SMEs and constitutes a pioneering case of public-private partnership In the luxury railway sector. The agreement signed with Simest and the Saudi institutions confirms as the collaboration between businesses and institutions can create lasting value and promote Italian excellences in the world“, he comments Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale. “The agreement signed with a head physician industrial actor as an Arsenale for the construction of a strategic project for the Made in Italy – he declares Queen Corradini D’Arienzo, CEO of Simest – confirms the strengthening of Simest’s role in support of Italian productive fabric and his supply chains. Through the first operation carried out within the Equity ceiling of the public Infrastructure Investment fundSimest intervenes directly as a partner to increase the competitiveness of ours businesses engaged in high added value infrastructure projectswhile encouraging the expansion of Made in Italy in strategic markets with high growth potential, like that one Saudi. The tool, developed by Simest under the direction of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and in collaboration with Cassa Depositi e Prestitifits fully into the action of Italian systemwhich, under the direction of Farnesinasees the involvement of CdpSimest, Ice e Steal. And integrated approach aimed at guaranteeing Italian companies and structured and complementary support from institutional to financial action to effectively address the main challenges of international competitiveness.”

Luxury train itineraries and design

The first ultra-luxury train will offer 1-2 night itineraries departing from Riyadh towards some of the most iconic destinations of the Kingdom, including Al Ulasite Unescoe Hailup to the border with Jordan. The interior are signed by the architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d’Ammanfounder of the Culture in Architecture studio. The first carriage was delivered in September 2025 andoperational start-up is expected by the end of 2026 – with pre-reservations open from November 2025.