It’s shipping, Jim, but not as we know it

DP World has gone all sci-fi, unveiling a partnership with a US company it hopes will eventually lead to the movement of containers between its flagship port at Jebel Ali and a new inland container depot in Dubai via Hyperloop technology.

The global terminal operator signed an agreement with Hyperloop One in Los Angeles recently to evaluate the use of the new technology and explore what it believes could be a “global transport revolution”.

The collaboration is for feasibility studies that will focus on efficient handling of containers, cost benefits, demand and volume patterns of moving cargo using the new technology.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, group chairman and ceo of DP World, said smart innovation was “part of Dubai’s DNA” and had the potential to transform the future of world trade.  

“The world is changing at a pace never seen before in our history and we intend to be part of a new revolution in transport, connecting markets and economies around the world,” Sulayem said.

 “With this collaboration, we’re leading innovation in our industry once again and by testing the Hyperloop technology at Jebel Ali for cargo use, we’re taking a first step in exploring new ways of enabling trade and underlining Dubai’s commitment to innovation.

“This is an example of leading innovation in our industry and pushing the boundaries in the delivery of goods. The potential to use these kind of technologies in emerging markets outside the UAE such as Africa and Asia with large land mass is significant.”

Jebel Ali Hyperloop inside

Hyperloop One ceo Rob Lloyd said: “Hyperloop One is  pleased to extend our global footprint into the Middle East  with the signing of the  MOU with the United Arab Emirates  and DP World.

 “This partnership allows us to embrace the innovation of the  UAE and to utilise the creativity of DP World, while  expanding the variety of use cases for Hyperloop. 

 “The UAE has taken a leadership role in  pushing  global  transportation solutions to the forefront and we believe that it  is the perfect market for Hyperloop.”

Hyperloop technology 2

Dubai’s government has ramped up efforts to spearhead the  development of Hyperloop technology globally.

The Dubai Future Foundation recently announced an international competition that will take place over 48 mind-bending hours in Dubai in September, bringing together 100 scientists, engineers and tech experts to design a Hyperloop station, ‘track’ and system (see image above) that will take passengers from Dubai to Fujairah in 10 minutes.

The trip currently takes about 90 minutes by car. 

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