DP World and Virgin unveil Cargospeed Hyperloop
The way we transport goods around the planet will change more in the next thirty years than it has in the last two hundred, and this is simply the latest announcement in a long line of transportation modernisation initiatives.
Key takeaways
- DP World has launched Cargospeed, a partnership with Virgin Hyperloop One that will develop a hyperloop enabled cargo system.
- According to Virgin, the fully electric systems can reduce four day transport times down to 16 hours.
- Hyperloop One chief executive of Rob Lloyd said the technology could reduce inventory lead times and cut costs associated with warehousing by around 25 percent.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2018) 'DP World and Virgin unveil Cargospeed Hyperloop', 311 Institute, 30 April. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/dp-world-and-virgin-unveil-cargospeed-hyperloop/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
DP World has launched Cargospeed, a partnership with Virgin Hyperloop One that will develop a hyperloop enabled cargo system. While the location of the first system has yet to be revealed it is no secret that the port operator, together with the UAE government, is keen to launch a system linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Chief executive Ahmed Bin Sulayem described cargo as the “catalyst” for “transport revolutions,” citing Dubai as a city that has “always pushed the boundaries of innovation”.
“We made a significant investment because we see the need for a hyperloop-enabled cargo network to support rapid, on-demand deliveries globally," he said.
“It is the right partner to shape the future of global logistics, and we look forward to developing the first DP World Cargospeed systems with it,” he added.
Hyperloop systems are autonomous, propelling pods through near-vacuum steel tubes at up to speeds of 300 metres per second (1,000 kph), way faster than conventional rail, trains in the UK can reach up to 200 kph and in China 250 kph, but rarely for any extended period.
According to Virgin, the fully electric systems can reduce four day transport times down to 16 hours. Virgin Group chairman Sir Richard Branson said the growth in e-commerce globally was responsible for a “dramatic shift” in business and consumer behaviours.
“On-demand deliveries are a novelty today but tomorrow will be an expectation, and Cargospeed systems will enable ultra-fast, on-demand deliveries of high-priority goods and can revolutionise logistics, support economic zones, and create thriving economic megaregions,” said Sir Richard.
Cargospeed is expected to deploy its hyperloop system to transport high-priority, time-sensitive goods, including fresh food, medical supplies and electronics.
Hyperloop One chief executive of Rob Lloyd said the technology could reduce inventory lead times and cut costs associated with warehousing by around 25 percent.
“Countries, regions, and states around the world could benefit from a DP World Cargospeed system," he said, “taking India as an example, 25 percent of cargo travelling through Mumbai has its origin or destination in Pune, and a large portion of this trundles along the expressway which carries 110,000 vehicles daily. A Virgin Hyperloop One system could reduce a two-to-three hour truck journey between the cities to 25 minutes, combining the state’s largest economic centres into a thriving mega-region”
What this means for your organisation
Speed claims need testing.
Virgin says its fully electric systems can cut a four day transport time to 16 hours. Hyperloop One says warehousing costs could fall by around 25 percent. Treat both as vendor claims until a first system runs. Our High Speed Rail data shows that hyperloop hopes are fading while fast trains keep spreading.
Urgent goods come first.
The plan targets high-priority, time-sensitive freight such as fresh food, medical supplies and electronics. That is a narrow slice of cargo, not all of it. Firms that ship these goods should work out now how much of their volume is truly urgent.
Corridors decide the value.
The Mumbai and Pune example shows the logic. A two-to-three hour truck journey could fall to 25 minutes on a route that already carries 110,000 vehicles daily. Gains depend on dense, busy routes. Compare this with Drone Deliveries and Electric Heavy Trucks, which also chase faster and cheaper freight on other routes.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our shipments are urgent enough to justify a faster, costlier mode?
- What would a 25 percent cut in warehousing cost change in our network?
- Which of our routes resemble a busy corridor linking two economic centres?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
The way we transport goods around the planet will change more in the next thirty years than it has in the last two hundred, and this is simply the latest announcement in a long line of transportation modernisation initiatives.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- UK theloadstar.co.uk
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 30 April 2018. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2018). DP World and Virgin unveil Cargospeed Hyperloop. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/dp-world-and-virgin-unveil-cargospeed-hyperloop/
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