DP World Plans Fujairah Port to Bypass Strait of Hormuz

DP World is planning the construction of a new deep-water multipurpose port and container terminal in Fujairah on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates. The strategic project aims to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, providing direct access to the Indian Ocean via the Gulf of Oman. This initiative follows a severe collapse in activity at Dubai's flagship Jebel Ali Port, where volumes dropped by 90% to 95% after Iran closed the strait in response to US-Israeli attacks starting in February 2026.

The new facilities, which could be completed in 18 months to two years, will allow cargo to enter the Gulf of Oman and move overland to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This move is designed to bulletproof the UAE economy against Iranian hostilities, which have included nearly 3,000 drone and missile strikes. DP World expects to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the initial phase and is currently negotiating financing and design with Fujairah authorities.

Parallel infrastructure upgrades are underway to strengthen national economic resilience. Gulftainer is investing $2 billion to expand the Khor Fakkan container terminal, and improvements are occurring in Dibba. Additionally, the UAE is increasing crude oil exports through Fujairah and accelerating a second pipeline to double export capacity from the emirate by next year.