The United Arab Emirates is accelerating efforts to reduce its dependence on the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz by expanding port infrastructure in Fujairah, located on the country’s east coast along the Gulf of Oman.
State-owned logistics giant DP World is investing in the expansion to transform Fujairah into a major alternative trade and shipping hub outside the Strait of Hormuz. The move is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted cargo flows if geopolitical tensions disrupt one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments and a significant share of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. In recent months, renewed instability in the Middle East has raised concerns over the vulnerability of commercial shipping routes, prompting Gulf countries to strengthen alternative logistics networks.
The expanded Fujairah facilities will improve container-handling capacity, enhance supply chain resilience, and provide businesses with a more secure route for imports and exports. The port already plays a crucial role as one of the world’s largest oil storage and bunkering hubs and is connected to the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline, allowing oil exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
The investment reflects the UAE’s broader strategy to diversify trade infrastructure and reinforce its position as a global logistics and maritime hub amid growing regional security challenges.