The Arabian Canal is a proposed mega-infrastructure project located in the

United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a Federal monarchy, federal elective monarchy made up of Emirates of the United Arab E ...

that aims to create a man-made waterway connecting the

Persian Gulf The Persian Gulf, sometimes called the Arabian Gulf, is a Mediterranean seas, mediterranean sea in West Asia. The body of water is an extension of the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.Un ...

to the

Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea () is a region of sea in the northern Indian Ocean, bounded on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, Gulf of Aden and Guardafui Channel, on the northwest by Gulf of Oman and Iran, on the north by Pakistan, on the east by India, and ...

Location

The Arabian Canal is planned to be situated in the eastern region of the UAE, spanning across the emirates of

Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most popu ...

Dubai Dubai (Help:IPA/English, /duːˈbaɪ/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''doo-BYE''; Modern Standard Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic: ; Emirati Arabic, Emirati Arabic: , Romanization of Arabic, romanized: Help:IPA/English, /diˈbej/) is the Lis ...

, and

Sharjah Sharjah (; ', Gulf Arabic: ''aš-Šārja'') is the List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is the capital of the Emirate of Sharjah and forms part of the D ...

. It would traverse the desert landscape, cutting through the Hajar Mountains and connecting the Persian Gulf near the Saudi Arabian border to the Arabian Sea.

Purpose and objectives

Trade and transportation

The canal would serve as a strategic trade route, providing a shortcut for vessels traveling between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. By reducing shipping distances and time, it aims to enhance the UAE's position as a global trade and

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hub.

Economic growth

The project is expected to stimulate economic growth by attracting investments, creating job opportunities, and promoting commercial activities in the areas surrounding the canal. It would facilitate the movement of goods, fostering trade and boosting the UAE's overall economy.

Tourism and development

The Arabian Canal envisions the development of new waterfront areas, marinas, and tourism destinations along its route. These developments would enhance the UAE's tourism industry, attracting visitors with recreational activities, resorts, and vibrant urban spaces.

Project features

The Arabian Canal is envisioned to possess several key features, including:

Length and width

The proposed length of the canal is approximately , spanning from the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. The width of the canal would vary between to accommodate different types of vessels.

Water supply

To maintain the required water volume and quality, the canal is expected to draw seawater from the Persian Gulf. Advanced water management systems would be employed to ensure a consistent flow and minimize environmental impact.

Locks and bridges

The canal would incorporate locks at specific points along its route to accommodate vessels and adjust water levels as necessary. Additionally, multiple bridges would be constructed to allow vehicular and pedestrian traffic to cross the canal.

Ports and terminal facilities

The Arabian Canal project includes plans for the development of new ports and terminal facilities along its course. These facilities would handle cargo shipments and provide necessary infrastructure for efficient trade operations.

Waterfront developments

The project aims to create vibrant waterfront developments, including residential, commercial, and leisure zones, adjacent to the canal. These areas would feature modern infrastructure, attractive architecture, and recreational spaces to enhance the quality of life for residents and attract tourists.

Environmental considerations

Environmental assessments and studies would be conducted to ensure minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystems during the construction and operation of the canal. Sustainable practices, preservation of natural habitats, and environmental mitigation measures would be employed to protect biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.

Project overview

The Arabian Canal project is still in the planning and conceptualization phase. The project represents a significant long-term undertaking that requires extensive engineering, environmental evaluations, and financial investments. Detailed design, feasibility studies, and further evaluations would be necessary before the project can proceed to construction. It is recommended to refer to official sources or recent news for the latest updates on the Arabian Canal project. The canal is being developed by the company Limitless. The canal, originally planned to be completed in 2012, has been on hold since 2009. If completed, it would require the excavation of 1.1

billion Billion is a word for a large number, and it has two distinct definitions: * 1,000,000,000, i.e. one thousand million, or (ten to the ninth power), as defined on the short scale. This is now the most common sense of the word in all varieties of ...

cubic meters of soil. The canal itself was projected to cost $11 billion, and would snake from

Dubai Waterfront The Dubai Waterfront (now known as ''Waterfront''; ) was expected to become the largest waterfront and largest man-made development in the world. The project was a conglomeration of canals and artificial archipelago; it would occupy the last ...

Jebel Ali Jebel Ali () is a port town south-west of Dubai. The Jebel Ali Port is located there. Al Maktoum International Airport has been constructed just outside the port area. Jebel Ali is connected to Dubai via the UAE Exchange (formerly Jebel Al ...

and pass to the east of the Dubai World Central development before turning back towards the

Palm Jumeirah The Palm Jumeirah is an archipelago of artificial islands on the Persian Gulf in Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is part of a larger series of developments called the Palm Islands, including Palm Jebel Ali and the Dubai Islands, ...

. Plans also called for $50 billion to be spent constructing a new "city" within the city, which would take 20,000 hectares of land in the south bank of the channel. The Arabian canal would be 150 metres wide and six metres deep, enough to accommodate yachts up to 40 metres long. The canal was designed to be fully navigable, with locks on each end for tidal control. Water is to flow through the canal to prevent stagnation.

Engineers

Calthorpe Associates, an urban design firm in

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

, designed and was overseeing the canal plan. Calthorpe collaborated with the landscape architecture firm SWA Group, and the engineering firms Moffatt & Nichol, Parsons International, Mott MacDonald, and Torti Gallas and Partners.

References

{{Developments in Dubai Buildings and structures under construction in Dubai Waterfronts Canals in the United Arab Emirates