A consortium of three artificial intelligences and a team of human engineers has developed a proposal for two 116-kilometer sea-level canals through the United Arab Emirates, designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz and neutralize Iran's ability to threaten global oil shipments. The plan, which would cost an estimated $85 billion and take four years to build, could redirect all non-Iranian tanker traffic away from the strait by 2031, according to the project's backers.
The proposal, devised by Green Growth Technology (GGT) in collaboration with three AI systems, outlines twin canals running from Fujairah Port to Sharjah Port Khalid, each 83 meters wide and capable of accommodating very large crude carriers (VLCCs). The canals would save each tanker approximately 18 hours and 350 nautical miles of travel, reducing time charter equivalent costs by $60,000 per vessel, while also eliminating war risk insurance premiums. The project would create a dual safety net when combined with existing UAE pipeline infrastructure, ensuring continuous export of Gulf oil, gas, and goods while keeping shipping hundreds of miles away from Iranian shores.
Francis Sullivan, a spokesman for the consortium, emphasized that the proposal is viable because previous attempts were hindered by cost, time, and lack of AI-human collaboration. “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,” Sullivan said. “The solutions are cleverer than humans could achieve on their own.”
Key innovations include AI-controlled mega machines capable of rapid excavation, using laser, water jet, and zirconia wheel cutting technologies. The plan involves five teams starting simultaneously at both ends of the canals and in the Hajar Mountains, which rise over 1,800 meters. The use of Chinese mega engineering teams, which recently completed the 135km Pinglu Canal in four years, is central to the accelerated timeline. The project would also employ drones, autonomous geotechnical mapping, and robotic stabilization techniques.
The geopolitical implications are significant. The proposal suggests that UAE ownership, possibly in partnership with Gulf Cooperation Council states, Japan, India, and South Korea, could transform the UAE into a regional powerhouse. If China retains a small interest, the canals could be protected by a clause making any attack an act of war against China. “If this is adopted, no ships other than Iranian vessels will pass through the Strait of Hormuz by around 2031,” Sullivan added.
The plan also addresses environmental concerns, such as managing 4 billion tonnes of waste, by crushing and laser-fusing rock for reuse. The canals would be lined with sealed 'Roman' concrete or basalt, and an automated oil spill response system would be integrated along the length of the canals.
Captain Richard Byrne, Chief Commercial Officer of GGT, highlighted the strategic advantages: “This is a safe passage that saves 18 hours and over 350km. The clever tech just makes that happen.” He noted that the UAE currently imports rubble for construction, so any waste material could be repurposed. “We are negotiating with the three most influential power brokers in the Middle East, and funding is not going to be the issue.”
The proposal comes amid ongoing tensions with Iran, which has used the threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz as leverage. The canals would provide a secure alternative, with the nearest point to Iran being 233 miles away. The consortium has also included early warning systems and laser weapons as defensive measures.
The total programme cost is estimated at $85 billion, with $15 billion for phase one (modular cutting and laying machines) and $70 billion for phase two (corridor construction). This is significantly lower than a previous proposal by Dubai architect Znera, which was estimated at over $600 billion. The first operational capability would be achieved in approximately four years.
The consortium believes that the combination of human creativity and AI analysis has made what was once considered impossible a reality. “Humans create and AIs perfect,” Sullivan said. “Once people realise this can be done quickly and affordably, we hope a consensus about maximum geopolitical safety will emerge.”
