In a move that could dramatically alter global energy transit, a consortium of human engineers and artificial intelligences has proposed a $85 billion canal system through the United Arab Emirates, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz entirely. The plan, developed by Green Growth Technology and three AIs, outlines two 116-kilometer-long, 83-meter-wide sea-level canals running from Fujairah Port to Sharjah Port Khalid, capable of accommodating Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and ultra-large container ships.
The proposal comes amid ongoing concerns about Iran's ability to threaten shipping lanes, despite partial disarmament. The canals would allow continuous export of Gulf oil, gas, and goods while avoiding Iranian waters by hundreds of miles. Each vessel would save 18 hours and 350 nautical miles, translating to $60,000 in time charter equivalent, plus reduced insurance war premiums.
Francis Sullivan, spokesman for the consortium, stated, "Our target was to see if we could build a canal system in under 5 years and costing less than $100 billion. The reason this has not been proposed before is because humans and AIs have never been able to work like this before. If adopted, no ships other than Iranian vessels will pass through the Strait of Hormuz by around 2031."
The plan addresses three main barriers: cost, speed, and geopolitical challenges. Conventional plans were too expensive due to lengthy construction times and massive workforce requirements. The consortium's approach uses AI-controlled machinery, drones, and Chinese mega-engineering to cut build time to 4 years. The twin canals reduce waste volume significantly, and much of the excavated rock is crushed and laser-fused for construction use.
The Hajar Mountains, rising to 1,800 meters, pose a challenge, but the plan involves five teams starting simultaneously from both ends and the mountain area. Chinese engineering firms, which recently built a 134-kilometer canal in 4 years, would be key partners. The use of modular mega machines, designed for reuse in future projects, also cuts costs.
Geopolitically, the UAE would become a regional powerhouse, controlling a vital alternative to the Strait. The consortium suggests including China as a partner, which would make any attack on the canals a declaration of war on China. Other potential partners include Gulf Cooperation Council states, Japan, India, and South Korea. The USA could serve as a strategic defense partner.
The project also includes innovations like automated oil spill response systems, laser and waterjet cutting, and AI-driven project management. Captain Richard Byrne, COO of Green Growth Technology, emphasized, "We designed cutting and canal laying systems that are faster. The same system completes the finished canal, integrating everything under AI control."
The plan is costed at $85 billion, with first operational capability in 4 years. It contrasts sharply with a previous proposal by Dubai architect Znera, estimated at over $600 billion. The consortium believes that once the feasibility is recognized, a consensus will emerge on ownership and control, potentially making the UAE a central player in global energy security.
