North-west Saudi Arabia, desert near the Red Sea: planners are building a carbon-neutral city of the future. Best Handling Technology from Heuchelheim, Hesse, supplies handling equipment for workers building the energy supply.
An ambitious vision for people and the planet
170 km long, 200 m wide, carbon-neutral energy, no CO₂ emissions, urban life alongside nature, nine million residents, underground high-speed trains, maritime sports: the planned green desert city “THE LINE” is among the most ambitious urban projects worldwide, helping civilisation thrive in the desert. Engineers aim to complete THE LINE in full length by 2045 if plans hold.
Positioning heavy, sensitive parts with high-tech handling
Green power rests on local production—for example hydrogen via electrolysis: water split with cathode and anode. In a fuel cell, hydrogen oxidises with air to produce electricity and heat. Best Handling Technology from Heuchelheim already supplies a crane system with vacuum lifter so workers can position large, heavy, sensitive components while building electrolysis plants.
By 2030 planners first finish a small section over two kilometres long for 300,000 residents. The city is part of NEOM, a developing special economic zone with residential projects and two planned resorts: “Sindalah” and “Trojena”. Saudi Arabia needs extensive high-tech and robotics to realise an urban, nature-connected vision. Back-friendly, fast, safe handling systems from Heuchelheim support the build.