ABU DHABI, UAE (MNTV) — The United Arab Emirates has announced an ambitious strategy to eliminate its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, accelerating investments in ports, energy infrastructure and transportation networks following months of disruption caused by the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi said the UAE is pursuing a long-term goal of reducing its dependence on the strategic waterway to zero, regardless of whether normal shipping traffic resumes.
The initiative comes after the effective closure of the strait during the conflict exposed vulnerabilities in global energy and trade routes.
Before the crisis, roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the narrow passage, making it one of the most important maritime chokepoints in the world.
At the center of the UAE’s strategy is a major expansion of eastern coast ports, including Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and Dibba, all located outside the Strait of Hormuz on the Gulf of Oman. Authorities also plan to construct at least one additional port along the eastern coastline.
The government is simultaneously studying significant investments in new oil and gas pipelines, railway links and road infrastructure to strengthen connections between eastern ports and the country’s energy production facilities.
Officials have already accelerated plans for a second crude oil pipeline to Fujairah, which would double export capacity through the port.
Authorities are also evaluating the construction of a third petroleum pipeline and additional infrastructure to facilitate exports of liquefied natural gas, petrochemicals and other energy products.
While the government has not disclosed the projected cost or timeline of the projects, Al Zeyoudi indicated that the initiative would require investments worth several billion dollars. Feasibility studies are currently underway.
The UAE has partially mitigated the impact of the strait’s disruption by increasing oil exports through Fujairah and boosting cargo operations at Khor Fakkan. An existing pipeline capable of transporting 1.5 million barrels of crude oil per day to Fujairah has played a key role in maintaining exports during the crisis.
Despite these efforts, analysts note that completely eliminating dependence on Hormuz will be challenging. While pipeline expansions could redirect most crude oil exports, other commodities, including liquefied natural gas and aluminum, remain more difficult to transport outside Gulf shipping routes.
The country also continues to rely heavily on major Gulf ports such as Jebel Ali and Khalifa Port, which serve as critical logistics and redistribution hubs for imports and exports.
The conflict had a significant impact on the UAE, with Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting regional infrastructure during the war. Although most projectiles were intercepted, some caused damage to energy and port facilities, including sites near Fujairah.
UAE officials have continued to call for the restoration of unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that freedom of maritime transit remains essential for regional stability, international trade and global energy security.
