en.Wedoany.com Reported - DP World plans to build a new multipurpose port and container terminal in Fujairah on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. The group is evaluating the expansion of existing port facilities in Fujairah and the construction of a new terminal, enabling cargo to reach the Gulf of Oman directly without passing through this strategic waterway.
Currently, ships heading to Dubai's flagship port, Jebel Ali, must pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Once the new port is operational, ships can unload cargo in the Gulf of Oman, with goods continuing to their destinations via the UAE's road or rail network, providing the group with an additional regional gateway outside the Strait. The new port could be completed within 18 months, with DP World planning to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the first phase. The project focuses on complementing rather than replacing Jebel Ali Port, aiming to provide an alternative route in case of potential future disruptions to Gulf shipping.
This comes after months of instability in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier this year, conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States raised concerns about commercial shipping being hindered or even completely halted. Although the Strait has never been fully closed, shipping volumes have noticeably declined, with some shipowners opting to delay voyages, adjust routes, or wait for additional security measures. Meanwhile, ports on the UAE's east coast, such as Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, have handled more transshipment cargo as businesses seek alternative routes bypassing the Gulf. The UAE has announced plans to expand east coast port and pipeline infrastructure, and the proposed DP World terminal is part of this initiative, aiming to open another entry point for container shipping outside the Strait of Hormuz.
The new project will also compete with the nearby Khor Fakkan Port, where Gulftainer is currently expanding its container operations. Jebel Ali Port remains DP World's core hub, but with a second container gateway in the Gulf of Oman, DP World will have more options in any future disruption, while expanding capacity outside one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints. This information is sourced from a Financial Times report.
