Italian hyperloop project brings ‘real opportunity’ for UAE

Shelved plans for a UAE hyperloop system could be dusted off – thanks to renewed interest in developing a passenger line in Italy by 2029.

The industry was dealt a blow in December when Hyperloop One – the start-up that proposed a high-speed transport system in the Emirates and other countries – announced it was ending its development and selling assets.

Although a long-established means of high-speed travel in theory, the electric-powered tube technology has proved expensive and difficult to achieve in reality, despite its speeds of 1,000kph having the potential to dramatically cut travel times and the environmental impact of mass travel.

Hyperloop One rival HyperloopTT is the technology provider and designated designer in a feasibility study in Italy, together with Hyperloop Italia its licensee there.

Andres de Leon, chief executive of California-based HyperloopTT, says “now there is a real project, there is a real opportunity”.

The proposed link between Venice and Padua is a joint venture between Italy’s government and private investors.

The €800 million ($862 million) project aims to become the world’s first working passenger system and will incorporate freight logistics in an effort to take heavy goods vehicles off the busy route in Italy’s industrial north.

“Since the announcement of the Italian project and now the signature of the contract, this has reignited the interest in hyperloop elsewhere,” Mr de Leon told The National.

“Now there is a real project, there is a real opportunity. With the pandemic, there was a moment where interest decreased and the conditions to progress the industry were very difficult.

“And because of that, we have relaunched conversations in the region … we are re-engaging with partners and people interested in this in the past.

“Now we are seeing a resurgence in worldwide interest.

“If there’s going to be this money for the technology development [in Italy], we can capitalise on that worldwide.”

Bibop Gresta, founder and chief executive of Hyperloop Italia, said the industry was ready for the next stage of development. “The hyperloop sector’s growth is remarkable, marking a renaissance period,” he said.

Founded in 2014, Hyperloop One – formerly Virgin Hyperloop – had pressed on with research and development, raising more than $450 million in investment and creating a passenger test track in Nevada.

High-profile investors included DP World. A hyperloop simulator at Expo2020 in Dubai showed its potential.

HyperloopTT was close to launching the technology in Abu Dhabi in 2020, before the global pandemic derailed these plans.

While a long-established means of high-speed travel in theory, it has proved expensive and difficult to achieve