AI-Human Consortium Unveils $85 Billion Canal Plan to Bypass Strait of Hormuz

The threat of Iran disrupting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz has long been a geopolitical flashpoint. Now, a consortium of human engineers and artificial intelligences has unveiled a plan to bypass the strait entirely with a canal system traversing the United Arab Emirates (UAE), promising to reshape regional power dynamics and secure global energy routes.

The proposal, detailed by Green Growth Technology (GGT), involves constructing two 116-kilometer-long, 83-meter-wide sea-level canals running from Fujairah Port to Sharjah Port Khalid. These canals would accommodate Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), providing a direct route that avoids Iranian waters by hundreds of miles. According to the consortium, each tanker would save approximately 18 hours and 350 nautical miles of transit time, equivalent to $60,000 in Time Charter Equivalent costs, plus substantial savings on war risk insurance premiums.

Francis Sullivan, a spokesman for the consortium, told 24-7PressRelease, "Our target was to see if we could build a canal system in under 5 years and costing less than $100 billion. 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 plan aims to have the canals operational by around 2031, after which non-Iranian ships would no longer need to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

The project's feasibility rests on several innovations. The consortium claims that using AI-driven design and Chinese mega-engineering techniques can cut construction time to 4-5 years, compared to conventional estimates of 15 years. Key to this is the use of modular, AI-controlled mega machines that can cut rock, dispose of waste, and line the canals simultaneously. The plan also calls for five teams to start work simultaneously from both ends and the mountainous middle section, using conventional equipment initially before transitioning to the custom-built machinery.

Geopolitically, the ownership structure is crucial. The UAE would likely lead, but involving other nations—particularly China—could provide a security guarantee. Sullivan noted, "If China is part of that 'group' then control documents can be worded so that if anyone attempted to sabotage either canal it would be an attack on China." This could deter Iranian aggression, as an attack on the canals would be seen as an act of war against a major power.

The cost breakdown includes $15 billion for Phase 1 (creating modular machines and using available equipment) and $70 billion for Phase 2 (cutting the corridors), totaling $85 billion, with a 4-year full build timeline. This is significantly cheaper than a previous proposal by Dubai architect Znera, which was estimated at over $600 billion.

Captain Richard Byrne, COO of GGT, emphasized the strategic benefits: "This is a safe passage that saves 18 hours and over 350km. The clever tech just makes that happen." The design also includes automated oil spill response systems and optional laser defense systems, given the canal's closest point to Iran is 233 miles away.

The proposal comes at a time when Gulf countries are exploring diplomatic options with Iran, but the consortium believes the canal offers a more secure alternative. If realized, the UAE would become the region's dominant energy transit hub, potentially altering the balance of power in the Middle East and ensuring uninterrupted energy supplies to Asian economies like Japan, South Korea, and India.