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Virgin Hyperloop One Unveils Saudi Network Plans

Virgin Hyperloop One Unveils Saudi Network Plans
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Virgin Hyperloop One Unveils Saudi Network Plans

Virgin Hyperloop One Unveils Saudi Network Plans

Virgin Hyperloop One Vice President for the Arabian Gulf, Colin Rhys, revealed the company’s plans for linking the infrastructure of Saudi, NEOM, Red Sea, Qiddiya and some Arab capitals.

Rhys, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, revealed that Saudi Arabia is set to be the number one partner in launching hyperloop technology, which would serve as an accelerator for the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program.

He also reaffirmed the company’s trust in a bright future for the transportation network project in Saudi Arabia, especially in employing local skilled labor.

Virgin Hyperloop One is likely to reveal details of its plan to link Saudi Arabia's $500-billion futuristic city, NEOM, the mega Red Sea tourism project and Qiddiya giga-projects together at the upcoming The Big 5 Saudi show scheduled for Jeddah between March 11-13.

Rhys pointed out that launching work on the project depends on when agreements are signed, while taking into consideration safety regulations. The first system could launch in early 2020 if the organizational process continues to move smoothly.

A graphic published alongside details of Rhys’s speech depicts a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) alignment route, showcasing stops at NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Jeddah, Makkah, Riyadh, Kuwait City, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Muscat.

Hyperloop technology could cut the time it takes to travel from Riyadh to Jeddah to 46 minutes.

The Hyperloop’s vision for the Kingdom is expected to launch mid-April, and is projected to take up to 10 years for accomplishment. Further information on exact costs was not revealed, but a kilometer covered is expected to run at a $15-20 million fee.

The project will provide also boost employment in the Kingdom.

The system is expected to create high-tech jobs for Saudi nationals and provide uplift in gross domestic product.

To ensure young Saudis benefit from Virgin Hyperloop One’s expertise, the company partnered with the Prince Mohammad bin Salman Foundation (Misk) last year to provide 21 internships at its campus in Los Angeles, US.

Rhys said the infrastructure scheme will encourage Saudi Arabia’s adoption of emerging technologies. Hyperloop will create a “manufacturing hub” in the Kingdom, allowing the country to import and export goods at rapid speeds, he stressed.

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9 EU Countries Call for Talks on Ending Trade with Israeli Settlements

Israeli soldiers take aim during a raid in the old town of Nablus city in the occupied West Bank on June 10, 2025. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)
Israeli soldiers take aim during a raid in the old town of Nablus city in the occupied West Bank on June 10, 2025. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)
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9 EU Countries Call for Talks on Ending Trade with Israeli Settlements

Israeli soldiers take aim during a raid in the old town of Nablus city in the occupied West Bank on June 10, 2025. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)
Israeli soldiers take aim during a raid in the old town of Nablus city in the occupied West Bank on June 10, 2025. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)

Nine European Union countries have called on the European Commission to come up with proposals on how to discontinue EU trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday.

The letter, addressed to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, was signed by foreign ministers from Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The EU is Israel's biggest trading partner, accounting about a third of its total goods trade. Two-way goods trade between the bloc and Israel stood at 42.6 billion euros ($48.91 billion) last year, though it was unclear how much of that trade involved settlements.

The ministers pointed to a July 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which said Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there are illegal. It said states should take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that help maintain the situation.

"We have not seen a proposal to initiate discussions on how to effectively discontinue trade of goods and services with the illegal settlements," the ministers wrote.

"We need the European Commission to develop proposals for concrete measures to ensure compliance by the Union with the obligations identified by the Court," they added.

Israel's diplomatic mission to the EU did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said Europe must ensure trade policy is in line with international law.

"Trade cannot be disconnected from our legal and moral responsibilities," the minister said in a statement to Reuters.

"This is about ensuring that EU policies do not contribute, directly or indirectly, to the perpetuation of an illegal situation," he said.

The ministers' letter comes ahead of a meeting in Brussels on June 23 where EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the bloc's relationship with Israel.

Ministers are expected to receive an assessment on whether Israel is complying with a human rights clause in a pact governing its political and economic ties with Europe, after the bloc decided to review Israel's adherence to the agreement due to the situation in Gaza.