AUTONEWS

What will water transport be like in the megacity of Neom under the absolutist regime of Saudi Arabia?

You may have heard of the megacity of Neom. The Saudi government's idea is to have under its control the largest technological city in the world, using renewable energy and representing everything that is most modern. A way to try to cover up all the hardships of the dictatorial regime installed there. It is also a way to stimulate tourism in the region – so that the economy does not depend solely on oil (which will one day run out).

According to the drawings, Neom will be 168 kilometers long, 200 meters wide and almost 500 meters high. Yes, the measurements are strange, but that is how it is. So much so that the city's nickname is already “The Line”, something like “The Line”, in free translation.

Urban mobility deserves a separate chapter. The project foresees large green areas for pedestrians and cyclists to cross, as well as electric buses and underground transit systems. Not to mention, of course, the super-fast elevators in all the skyscrapers.

For the sections where crossing the water will be necessary, the Saudi government has just ordered a new one. It’s a kind of water taxi – which is also electric.

The vehicle is called the P-12 and is designed by the company Candela.

As you can see from the images, it looks like a yacht floating on water.

The P-12 can accommodate up to 30 passengers, depending on the configuration, and rises above the water on computer-guided ‘hydrofoils’ when takeoff speed is reached.

Its C-POD engines can take it to a service speed of 25 knots (28.77 mph), while its 252 kWh battery bank is said to be good for more than 2 hours of use per charge.

Candela claims that the system is “exceptionally quiet” and that it has zero carbon emissions.

Neom has just ordered an initial fleet of eight such vessels.

They are expected to be delivered between 2025 and 2026 for the first tests. According to Candela founder and CEO Gustav Hasselskog, the P-12 can be considered the replacement for the ferry: “Unlike systems with large, slow and energy-inefficient conventional ferries, the Candela P-12 is a smaller and faster unit, allowing much more frequent departures and faster journeys for passengers. All daily needs and services will be just a short boat ride away,” said the businessman. Saudi Arabia wants to deliver 100% of the works by 2039. However, many things must be completed before then. This is the case of the Neom stadium, which will be used in the 2034 football World Cup. The construction will be completely different from anything we know today. Nor will it house a mega-marina just for luxury yachts, to welcome the wealthy who are expected to frequent the most technologically advanced city in the world. The site will also house a luxurious resort that resembles an oasis. These are just a few of the developments…

To give you a better idea of ​​what the city of Neom will be like, the organizers released a video in February of this year updating the status of the project. Watch it and be amazed!

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