In a move that could dramatically alter the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, a consortium of human experts and artificial intelligences has put forward a detailed proposal for a canal system within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that would bypass the Strait of Hormuz. The plan, which involves constructing two 116-kilometer-long, sea-level canals, aims to neutralize Iran's ability to threaten global oil shipments, a persistent concern for the international community.
The proposed canals, each 83 meters wide and capable of accommodating Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), would run from Fujairah Port to Sharjah Port Khalid, entirely within UAE territory. This route would avoid the Iranian coast by hundreds of miles, saving each tanker approximately 18 hours and 350 nautical miles of travel time, along with substantial costs in insurance war premiums. The project, estimated to cost under $100 billion and completed in under five years, could be operational by around 2031, effectively making the Strait of Hormuz obsolete for non-Iranian vessels.
Francis Sullivan, a spokesman for the human/AI consortium, highlighted the novelty of the approach: "Our target was to see if we could build a canal system in under 5 years and costing less than $100 billion including reusable mega cutting equipment. The reason that this has not been proposed in this form before was because humans and AIs have never been able to work like this before. The solutions are cleverer than humans could achieve on their own."
The project leverages advanced construction techniques and AI-driven machinery to overcome previous obstacles that made such an endeavor prohibitively expensive and slow. By using modular, AI-controlled mega machines, the consortium aims to reduce build time by 50-65%. Chinese engineering teams, who recently completed the 134-kilometer Pinglu Canal in four years, are identified as key construction partners. The plan also incorporates environmental compromises, particularly in the Hajar Mountains, and includes automated oil spill response systems to ensure rapid cleanup in case of accidents.
Geopolitically, the project could elevate the UAE to a position of regional dominance, as it would control a vital alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. Ownership and control are still under discussion, with potential involvement from Gulf Cooperation Council states, major energy importers like Japan, India, South Korea, and China. A diplomatic source noted that Chinese participation could serve as a deterrent, as any attack on the canals would be considered an attack on China. The United States could also play a strategic defense partnership role.
The proposal comes at a time when Gulf countries are exploring ways to reduce tensions with Iran, but the consortium believes that a secure canal system, complemented by existing UAE pipeline infrastructure, would provide a double safety net for global energy transit. As Captain Richard Byrne, COO of Green Growth Technology, explained, "This is a safe passage that saves 18 hours and over 350km and the clever tech just makes that happen."
While the plan is ambitious, its architects are confident that with the right geopolitical consensus, the UAE could become the region's major transit power broker, ensuring a steady flow of oil and goods without the constant threat of Iranian interference.
