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Serving the jet set at sea, a floating supermarket

Sunday, 10 February 2019 4:47 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 10 February 2019 4:52 PM ]

Whether it's floating island habitats or resorts the UAE has long spearheaded the march of technology into the sea.

Now Emiratis can enjoy the services of a floating supermarket. The idea is that you can get what you want whether you're on the beach, a yacht or a jet ski.

This 'drive by' is run by the Carrefour supermarket group which likes to market its 'floating market' as a 'sail through'. It's particularly handy if you happen to be on a jet ski.

Bobbing in the crystal blue waters of the Persian Gulf, the jetski driver honks to alert the shop staff and, bouncing in the wake of the boat, he places and collects his order within a couple of minutes.

Customers place their orders by phone, through the Carrefour app or, if their boat allows, right by the sail-through window. Deliveries are made to yachts anchored elsewhere at sea and to people on the beach by a small skiff.

Launched in early December, the aquapod is already making waves among marine lovers in Dubai. Employees say they often sell out of ice cream, sandwiches and fresh juices by mid afternoon.

The aquapod has more than 300 items on board, selling a wide range of products from mayonnaise to sunscreen. There's also a selection of fresh items like salads and sandwiches as well as hot foods like French fries, chicken nuggets and coffee.

The 40-square metre aquapod is the creation of marine architect Ahmed Youssef, who claims he created the pod with Dubai's coastal location and sustainability in mind. Youssef is the founder and creative director of Aquatic Architects Design Studio.

While this might seem counterintuitive to some, Youssef insists that eco-friendliness is at the core of the floating market. The pod is equipped with Seabin, a marine rubbish collector that uses a suction device to clean up the surrounding waters.

As a result of the aquapod's success, Youssef says plans are in the works to build more pods with different uses, including a floating ambulance. Youssef founded his startup after winning a prize from the Dubai government. He's exploring more at-sea projects that take advantage of the United Arab Emirate's and the Gulf region's coastlines.

(Source: AP)

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