Dubai To Be First City To Live The Hyperloop Ultra Fast Transport Mode Dream

After a successful first phase of test by Hyperloop One (a company dedicated to making the Hyperloop a reality), it now seems as if the company may have a potential commercial route deal in sight and it’s not in the United States from where the concept came. The company says the potential first site will be in Dubai after it announced that it was partnering with DP World (a port operator) to see if building such a transport system for Port Jebel Ali will increase the efficiency of the port. This port in question was voted the best in the Middle East (for the 20^th year in a row) in 2014 and according to DP World handled 13.6 million TEU with 1 million of additional TEU capacity added. Container Terminal 3 (T3) will add a further 4 million TEU capacity, raising total capacity of Jebel Ali to 19 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units).

According to the release;

“Hyperloop One is developing a new mode of transportation that will allow the world to transport people and goods inexpensively, safely, and with energy efficiency at speeds never thought possible,” said Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World. “It is an innovative solution that holds tremendous potential for enhancing our operational efficiencies and ensuring smoother and faster trade flows. As a global trade enabler, we think ahead and foresee the future by being ready for it. The Hyperloop is an excellent example of positive future change and growth.”

“By eliminating the barriers of time and distance, we believe we can increase the volume of freight DP World moves through the port using a Hyperloop to a new inland depot, which supports more revenue and profit for all stakeholders,” said Rob Lloyd, Hyperloop One. “A Hyperloop system fits very seamlessly with existing transportation corridors, minimizing any impact on urban Dubai and reducing freeway congestion and emissions.”

Once they determine that this system which uses capsules at speeds of up to 1,100Km/hr will work, they plan to build a submerged system that’s partly suspended in the air. Dubai is known for crazy ideas whether it’s the tallest building in the world or hotels on water, so you expect that this mode of transportation will eventually spread to other parts of the city and ultimately the UAE nation. They are thinking of extending the project to take people from Dubai city to Fujairah which is a distance of about 163Km in 10 minutes. Crazy you say but that’s the Hyperloop transport for you. Read more about it here