Dubai ports jumps on the Hyperloop train

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By Matthew Griffin Future Transport 16th August 2016

Dubai Ports are exploring the use of the ultra fast Hyperloop rapid transport system to increase capacity at their ports

Hyperloop One, which so far has raised over $100 million in funding, is slowly solidifying its role as the global Hyperloop leader with the signing of an all-new partnership with DP World, the third largest port and terminals operator in the world. The agreement calls for the two parties to collaborate on an economic and technical feasibility study of how Hyperloop technology can improve the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of DP World’s flagship Jebel Ali port. The agreement was signed yesterday at Hyperloop One headquarters in downtown Los Angeles.

“Hyperloop One is pleased to announce its expansion into the Gulf through the recent partnership with DP World,” said Shervin Pishevar, cofounder and Executive Chairman of Hyperloop One.

“We firmly believe that this study is the first step towards the construction of the Hyperloop in Dubai, which could reshape one of the world’s most modern cities and bring even more infrastructure innovation to the United Arab Emirates.”

“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.”

Fig 1: A concept rendering of an underwater Hyperloop next to a Dubai port

The feasibility study will assess the business case for using Hyperloop One technology to move freight from container ships docked at Jebel Ali to a planned DP World inland container depot. The study will provide preliminary details on the design of a right of way, capital and operating costs and potential project finance solutions.

“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 urbanDubai and reducing freeway congestion and emissions.”

Fig 2: An example of a Hyperloop Cargo pod

By redirecting cargo to a new inland hub, DP World can free up space at Jebel Ali for profitable use. DP World could even use a submerged floating Hyperloop adjacent to its giant new Terminal 4 built on a man-made island.

“By having a system where a box can be taken off a ship and dropped into the tube or pod, we are moving activity that would otherwise be on the island terminal as well as reducing the size of the terminal you need to build,” said Peter Diamandis, CEO, XPrize Foundation/Founding Board Member, Hyperloop One.

In addition to the Dubai agreement, Hyperloop One now has feasibility studies underway in Russia, Finland and Sweden,Switzerland and the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Matthew Griffin / About Author

Matthew Griffin, described as a "Walking encyclopaedia of the future" by NASA and a futurist polymath, is one of the world's most renowned futurists and strategic foresight experts. A serial entrepreneur Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working across the next 50 years, XPotential University, the world's first free futures and foresight university, and the World Futures Forum which works with the United Nations to solve the worlds greatest challenges. 13 times author of the Codex of the Future series, Matthew is an in demand international keynote, acclaimed university lecturer, and host of the hit Fanatical Futurist podcast.

A rare talent in his past Matthew helped build and run several multi-billion dollar business units for Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, and his ability to identify, track, and explain the impacts of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends on global business, culture, and society has earned him a powerful reputation and a roster of clients that include royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77+ governments, and many of the world's most respected brands including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi Group, Coca Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Disney, EY, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Pepsi Co, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, and many others. He was also the only futurist invited to talk at the UN COP28 held in Dubai alongside world leaders.

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.