Saudi Arabia to press ahead with canal cutting Qatar from land: Report

Saudi Arabia has moved forward with its plan to build a canal between it and Qatar, which would effectively detach the latter from the Arabian Peninsula, Gulf Arab media reported Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, has placed Qatar under a yearlong blockade in protest at policies allegedly pursued by Doha.

Riyadh has set a deadline for bids to dig the 60-km "Salwa Canal" for 25 June, with five international companies already throwing their hats into the ring, according to Gulf News.

Saudi Arabia will announce the winner 90 days after the deadline passes, Saudi daily Makkah reported, and the victorious company is then expected to complete the project in a year.

The project is estimated to cost $746m. The canal will stretch from Salwa to Khor al-Adeed, and is to be 200 metres wide and 15-20 metres deep.

Ships up to 33 metres width and 295 metres length will be able to navigate the canal, it has been reported.

Luxury, military and toxic waste

Other than cutting Qatar, a tiny, gas-rich emirate, from its only land border, Riyadh envisages several uses for the canal.

According to Gulf News, beach resorts are planned in Salwa, Sakak, Khor al-Adeed and Ras Abu Qamees.

Ports are to be constructed in Salwa and in Aqlat al-Zawayed, as well as marinas along both banks for private yachts and water sports.

Somewhat less appealing for visitors, however, are the planned military base and nuclear waste dumping site.

The canal will reportedly be fully within the Saudi side of the border, so Qatar will have no waterway rights to it, and is said to be paid for entirely by Saudi and Emirati private investors.

Egyptian companies with expertise in digging are thought to be enlisted for assistance.

This article is available in French on Middle East Eye French edition.