ACU JUNE Final LR

T E C H N O LO G Y
Make way for Virgin Hyperloop One's DP World Cargospeed
Vice President and Prime Minister of the
UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum (left), walks with Sir Richard
Branson, Virgin Group Founder and Virgin
Hyperloop One Chairman (center) and DP
World Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed
Bin Sulayem, during the launch of DP
World Cargospeeds in April. WAM Photo
DUBAI: Designed to travel at speed
faster than a plane, Virgin Hyperloop
One's newest freight transportation
collaboration with the Dubai-based
global trade enabler DP World is set to
revolutionize how cargo is transported
in the region.
The partnership between the two
companies gave birth to DP World
Cargospeed, a new global company
that will utilize hyperloop-enabled
cargo systems, to support the fast,
sustainable and efficient delivery of
palletized cargo, the UAE government
announced. The Systems are 100
percent electric and can be powered
by renewable energy, creating a more
sustainable solution for cargo
transport.
D u b a i , w h i c h p i o n e e r e d t h e
unmanned metro rail system in the
Middle East utilized by millions daily, is
banking on the futuristic mode of
passenger and freight transport
Hyperloop to enhance how freight is
moved.
Hyperloop is a pod-like vehicle
propelled through a near-vacuum
steel tube, with most of its air removed
it travels at speed faster than a plane.
Next-generation magnetic levitation
technology combined with a lowpressure
tube environment enables
the pods to move quickly with little
friction at approximate speed of up to
300 meters/second, the Emirates State
News Agency WAM explained.
T h e t e c h n o l o g y f a c i l i t a t e s
autonomous operations designed to
reduce human errors and run with
minimal delays. Hyperloop is more
cost-effective to implement and
operate than high-speed rail. It's fully
electric and zero direct emissions
make it a highly environmentally
friendly technology.
DP World Cargospeed systems,
enabled by Virgin Hyperloop One
technology, will transport highpriority,
time-sensitive goods
including fresh food, medical supplies,
electronics, and more. It will expand
freight transportation capacity by
connecting with existing modes of
road, rail and air transport.
The first initiative of its kind in the
world, DP World Cargospeed will
provide exceptional service for highpriority,
on-demand goods, delivering
freight at the speed of flight and closer
to the cost of trucking.
Vice President and Prime Minister of
the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum said: "The UAE is
keen to be a leading player in shaping
the future of the world. Being a
pioneer means taking bold decisions
that open the way for adopting
innovative solutions. We have big
aspirations because we have unlimited
mindsets and the confidence that we
can achieve whatever we set our minds
to."
DP World Chairman and CEO Sultan
Ahmed Bin Sulayem said the company
believes in Hyperloop One's long-term
vision and that it is the right
investment for Dubai's vision for the
future.
"Throughout history, cargo has always
been the catalyst for transport
revolutions. With a bold vision for the
future, Dubai has always pushed the
boundaries of innovation. This spirit of
innovation has enabled us to become
a world leader in logistics. We have
made a significant investment in Virgin
Hyperloop One because we see the
need for a hyperloop-enabled cargo
network to support rapid, on-demand
deliveries globally,” said Bin Sulayem.
Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group
Founder and Virgin Hyperloop One
Chairman, said speed will dictate how
the world will route its goods with the
global growth of e-Commerce.
“DP World Cargospeed systems
powered by Virgin Hyperloop One will
enable ultra-fast, on-demand
deliveries of high-priority goods and
can revolutionise logistics, support
economic zones, and create thriving
economic megaregions,” he said.