In a region well known for building the tallest skyscrapers, the grandest harbors and the biggest airports, it can take a lot for a construction project to grab world headlines. Yet that is exactly what the Salwa Marine Canal has done recently – even if for reasons other than engineering mastery.
The proposed canal would run through Saudi territory across the entire base of the Qatar Peninsula, officially creating a new sea lane and providing opportunities for tourism.
Yet by physically slicing Qatar off from the coast of Arabia, the canal would also create a 60-kilometer-long, 200-meter-wide symbol of the now 14-month old Gulf Crisis.
This dispute has pitted Qatar against its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain – along with Egypt – and seems no closer to a solution than it was back in May 2017.
Indeed, when Saudi Arabia recently announced that its plans for the canal were moving forward, this was likely an important reminder that the dispute is still very much alive.
“It’s a signal from Riyadh to say that the crisis isn’t over, despite the year that’s gone by,” said Dr Courtney Freer, Research Officer at the London School of Economics’ Middle East Center. “It’s a way of solidifying the rift, of showing they are even willing to saw off a GCC member state – and they know no one will stop them.”
Engineering works
News of the canal first came out in April, when Saudi state media gave its dimensions and said it would cost around 2.8 billion riyals (US$750 million) to complete.
By comparison, the recent 72km Suez Canal extension cost some $8 billion, while the proposed 45-50km Istanbul Canal, linking the Black Sea and Marmara Sea, would cost some $10 billion, according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Salwa Canal would follow a route through low-lying desert and salt flats known as sabkha, connecting the eastern and western waters of the Persian Gulf, south of the Qatari-Saudi frontier.
Either side of this route, a canal zone would be established, with both sides lying within Saudi territory. This would give Riyadh complete control over the canal’s use.
In that zone, new industries would also be founded. These would include tourism – with ideas for hotels and marinas along the waterfront – and also, rather incongruously, nuclear waste disposal.
Saudi Arabia is moving ahead with plans to build two large nuclear reactors on the Gulf coast, with the successful bidders for these to be announced next year. Waste from these, Saudi state media suggested in April, could be disposed of next to the Qatari frontier.
The zone would also include military facilities, with Saudi army bases proposed for the northern bank of the channel.
The canal, which Saudi news media suggested could be completed within a year, would also be a working sea lane. Advocates in the Saudi and Emirati press have declared that it would shorten maritime routes for traffic heading to ports further up the Gulf, while also boosting trade with Saudi ports in its Eastern Province, such as Dammam.
Yet with the distance between Dammam and the Gulf maritime hub of Jebel Ali in Dubai some 389 nautical miles – a route that goes over the top of the Qatar Peninsula – a diversion south to the proposed canal entrance at the base of the peninsula might, in fact, add to the journey time.
Nonetheless, after April’s announcement, a deadline of June 25 was set for submission of bids for the project, with subsequent media reports stating that five international companies with expertise in such schemes had taken part in the tendering.
The winner was to be announced within 90 days, although on June 18, Saudi royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani had already retweeted a video with the caption, “Starting the Salwa canal. Congratulations to the Saudi people for this wonderful project that will transform the small terrorist state of Qatar into an island.”
As for the project financing, the official announcements have suggested this will be done entirely by private Saudi and Emirati investors.
Yet “the cost is a problem,” adds Freer. “Saying that the private sector will pay all of it is probably because the Saudi state couldn’t justify paying for it itself, but I think this isn’t realistic.”
Indeed, private investors and financiers may well balk at the idea of the canal unless there are major state guarantees and subsidies.
Political channels
The project’s fate may well depend, then, on political decisions, rather than economic realities.
These, in turn, will likely depend on the current Gulf crisis, which has entered its second year without much sign of an impending resolution.
The dispute began in May 2017 with Qatar being accused by the Saudis, Emiratis, Bahrainis and Egyptians – the “Arab Quartet” – of supporting terrorism and promoting instability, while also being too close to Iran.
A list of 13 demands was issued by the Quartet that included closing the Qatar-based TV channel Al Jazeera, shutting Turkish military facilities in the state, handing over a list of individuals wanted by the Quartet states, and breaking ties with Iran.
Qatar rejected the accusations leveled against it and has so far refused to meet any of the demands.
A blockade was then imposed by the Quartet, with the land border with Saudi Arabia closed and Quartet airspace closed to Qatari planes.
The dispute has separated families and hit many businesses, yet it has also strengthened support within Qatar for its leader, the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Meanwhile, the country’s Turkish and Iranian ties have strengthened. Qatar has also largely weathered the economic storm created by the crisis, with international credit-rating agency Moody’s upgrading the country’s long-term outlook from “negative” to “stable.”
Throughout, fellow GCC state Kuwait has been attempting to mediate, while the US and European Union have also called for a resolution. Yet no concerted diplomatic effort has been made by either since former US secretary of state Rex Tillerson visited the region last October.
Back in 2014, a similar dispute blew up between Qatar and the Saudis and Emiratis, which lasted nine months. This time, however, efforts to find a way out may be in much greater difficulty.
“This time, the dispute has been much more public than in 2014, which makes it much more difficult for anyone to step back,” Freer said.
If the Salwa Canal becomes a reality, too, it will also be difficult for either side to step across.
Human folly knows no limit.
Evil mentality
Singapore, a tiny island state, is now a very successful and prosperous industrilized country. Qatar will soon become another I believe. Bravo Qatar!
Bahrain is even a much smaller island state compared to Qatar should the Salwa Canal ever come to reality. So, I don’t see any reason for Qatar to worry about it. Long Live Qatar!
Necesscity is the mother of all invention. This situation has compelled Quatar and its people an opportunity to display their resilient and self reliance…… God bless you.
Qatar should work on destabilizing S. Arabia. There many Shias that are unhappy and let’s not forget Yemenis. Little bit of funding and arms will go a long way.
Saudi behaves like a child who would always wish to avenge when provoked by another child. As it is not done yet with Yemen, it starts another crisis with Qatar, very soon Qatar will be an economic powerhouse leaving Saudi with its insanity.
The government in Qatar will be overthrown eventually and there will be no need to build a canal. The Qataris lost respect from not only Saudi, but all arab nations. The people their have no democracy and they have to ask for permission (exit permit) to even travel out of the country. If it wasnt for the huge gas reserves they would no even be a known place on any map. The American base their is their only safety.
America and its allies massacre civilians, cause trade wars, and dump nuclear waste on their neighbour’s doorstep. But Russia and China are the bad guys. We are powerless against the propaganda. Truly, we live in 1984.
Mohammed BS canal
Qatar should make start now artificial island another side for expanding area.or counter for Saudi.
To the stupid author Jonathan Corbett. Your maps is wrong, there is no such thing as Arabian Gulf. Its called Persian Gulf and will always be Persian Gulf.
Fatah, Saudi has no democracy and respect for civil liberties worse enough it is envious of Qatar economic achievement, Qatar is sovereign state capable of deciding its own destiny without intrusion and Arab states have to respect that.
Depends upon which side of Gulf you live on…right?
Depends upon which side of Gulf you live on…right?
Thadei Kamisa Qatar does not have elections but that is not the topic here. Qatar intrudes on its neighbors by supporting terror groups within KSA, The Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and all arab countries. It does this on behalf of Iran and Turkey which hope to break apart and rule the arab countries without the current ruleres and borders. In all cases the government of Qatar is in deel trouble and that is why the silly young Emir pays for pictures of himself everywhere and imprisoned many of the Merri family who did not fully support his terrible ideology. Enjoy getting permission to travel out of the country whenever you travel, it shows how much freedom you really have, even though Qatars Aljazeere pretends that it is supporting freedom. Sad for you
Salman is a bastard! He is a servant of Israel, carrying out the Israeli task of dividing the Muslim world.
He is the enemy of Islam. I wonder if his mother was a Jew! These characterless Saudi kings marries anyone, without seeing the caste, creed or religion !
Maybe they can pile up all the sand from the dig and build the tallest sand pile in the world. That might draw tourists? Otherwise I don’t think they will be needing many hotels
The Saudi Arabia should behave lik an elder brother to the gulf states or even a father to the Muslim world being the custodian of the 2 Holy Mosques.Instead Saudi under king Salman or MBS further devide the Qatar states by digging a Salwa canal. Saudi should have lead to reconcile with even Iran, Syria, Turkey and Yemen in order to unify and strengthen the Muslim countries around the world. The Muslim world should not succomb to will of the divilous American govt, Zionist and Israel.
Mohammed Fatani well, knowing clearly that Qatar has done all that u have mentioned, how do you see if your Saudi led blockade could have been more wise in imposing conditions to Qatar that are humane insteady of going eye for an eye? Where is an exercise of wisdom and resilience on the part of Saudi which seems more determined to take unilateral actions of vengeance against Qatar? Could intentions to build a canal and dumping of nuclear wastes on Qatar coastal side bring long lasting peace in the region. Is it right to separate families and cause excruciating pain to innocent civilians because of political differences. Sad on me yes, but if you don’t learn to relate rationality with humanity and put considerations for others than your own greed for power, middle east shall never stabilize just because of stiff necked fool countries like Saudi.
This is the reason why ISIS found an easy passage into the middle east taking advantage of lack of unity, double standards of your governments and hatred among yourselves. Saudi as a patron should unite Arab states and not divide them.
Thadei Kamisa Qataris eat drink travel and have more money than anyone, and they openly say they are better off with the embargo than before it. So let them enjoy it. It is an embargo not a blockade. All airports and ports are open. If the united states decided to suspend trade and ties to Canada, you would not say it is a blackade. You would not even say it is inhumane, you would say it is their right. If America decided to dig a canal across that border because they are sick of Canada enciting violence and supporting groups in America, you would understand. This is exactly what is happening. Qatar just gave a billion dollars to terrorist groups in iraq. It has been funding terror groups in Egypt and Bahrain and Saudi for decades. They support groups within the Emirates that are linked to terror groups. Enough is enough. Let Qatar enjoy its embargo if it is doing so much better than it was before. When Qataris become poor or hungry, everyone will send them food aid, otherwise your humanitarian comment is silly. Victim mentality will not get you far when Qatar openly says it is just fine.
Regrettable indeed!
John Buckley, you are correct.
Mohammed Fatani both sides must seek to normalize tensions for the national interests of their poeple. GCC should ensure political stability reign in the region while equally avoiding giving severe punishments to violating states which are not synonymous to the amount of crimes they have committed. Building a canal won’t solve anything than continue to inflame the situàtion. To continue isolating Qatar means, it is going to forge ties with other allies like Iran and Turkey.
I totally agree with you ! Qatar can stand on their own foot. They are not beggars. But Saudi Arabia will soon become a beggar, if they continue to obey USA’s dictation.
Thadei Kamisa These Iran and Turkish ties and mutual goals were always there fyi. Qatar is not a normal small neighbor. It is a dangerous PEST. Iran and Turkey are also pests. All 4 countries in the Embargo have not put any terror groups in Qatar or paid for TV channels that support terror in Qatar. The 4 neighbors demands are humane and Qatar should comply. Irans currency is falling and Turkey is not a country that helps anyone for free, therefore Qatar will back down and reset. Until then, its is only correct to cut ties with the Qatari state. Anyone would do the same for a neighbor who is trying to burn his house down.
The incompetent MBS is desperately obssessed with evil. He will end up humiliated like a female dog cornered by male dogs.
Fakhrul Kamal Saudis were begger in late 1960s! I saw them begging to my father. They used to keep the address of the Hajjes and later visited them for money! Now after getting oil they have become Proudy and notorious! Their downfall is a must! Just wait and see. Long live Qatar.
..and Qatar will be pulverized by Saudi’s military might!
Nvm.. Qatar will surely survive.
These so-called brothers must iron out things between them. They are becoming puppets of other countries.
Hood Hussein Smith indeed
The Saudi government should solved the crisis in the spirit of Islamic part and base on the principal of upholding in the context of Muslim brotherhood. Construction of canal just to punish your neighbor with unfounded allegations doesn’t made sense.Anyway Qatar as one of richest nations in the region would not feel isolated in terms of economic development and financial matter. Qatar ways is to promote regional peace and stability within the region and establishing non aglined status and be friendly to all countries.
The Saudis have the delusion that they are players in the Middle East and the world. They are not. They are a bloated, corrupt, ideologically bankrupt tyranny and terrorist-creating theocracy with a large bank account . Bombing Yemeni children to smithareens and wagging fingers at countries that don’t kowtow to their fantasies of local hegemony are the actions of wannabes that know they can very well be the next Pahlavite Iran or Qaddafite Libya. Hopefully Iran and Qatar are making plans to that end.
Fakhrul KamaInsha Allah Qatar will stand on their own foot by the help of all mighty allah ameen
Long live Qatar