In the world of the sea, a design concept that is so colossal that it might dwarf all existing ships and turn the biggest super-liners into mere harbor tugs has come back on the table. This time around, there are plans to create a genuine city ship, designed to accommodate up to 80,000 people. Measuring close to one mile long and thirty decks high, it promises to provide a self-sufficient living experience beyond territorial boundaries.
However, behind the pretty architectural images there lies an extremely complicated truth.This venture, which has remained in the planning phase for well over thirty years, faces many difficulties from engineering, economic, and legislative perspectives that must be overcome before any construction can commence.
A Large Community in the Ocean Working in International Waters
Such a massive project exceeds all known limitations of maritime engineering projects. In particular, it will involve the construction of a 2.3 million gross ton ship that is driven by a nuclear engine, thus permitting it to make a round trip of Earth every two years at the pace of 7 knots. Such a large ship cannot navigate through any known port in the world; therefore, it is destined to remain afloat in international waters indefinitely.
The inside of the immense structure will be dedicated to creating a fully fledged city. There is provision for housing 50,000 residents, 20,000 crewmembers, and countless others in the way of vacationers. The urban plan includes skyscrapers, a huge sports arena, a museum, financial centers, and a whole education system from elementary schools through university.
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Innovation in Medicine and the Attraction of Freedom from Regulations
The most debatable element in this concept is its intention to separate from the normal regulatory framework that exists in any country. The organizers of the project mention that there has been tremendous interest among international corporations dealing with the development of new medicines in renting space on this vessel. As it would remain in international waters, such a society would escape regulations by the major medical boards of that country.
From a financial perspective, the ship has been designed to operate like a typical terrestrial city. The parent corporation will keep control over profitable entertainment facilities, such as an onboard casino, while renting commercial areas to other business owners. The architectural plan includes modern technologies of waste-to-energy conversion; thus, designers can promote this enormous ship as an environmentally friendly and carbon-free city which is cleaning ocean garbage during its navigation.
Structural Hitches Through Decades and Reality on Funding
Regardless of the great dream, it should be noted that even after all these years of planning, the floating city ship is highly theoretical. Initially introduced back in the ’90s by the famous engineer Norman Nixon, the idea has been hindered several times owing to lack of funds. Indeed, according to the current planners behind the project, raising the huge amount of capital required is their biggest challenge.
Marine engineers point out that making such a structure means creating modules which have to fit together and can only be assembled offshore. Project planners are very sure of the success of the idea for many years to come, but there is widespread doubt about this idea within the international maritime world. Unless the huge funds required are found soon, the idea will remain merely an interesting piece of coastal architecture forever.
