The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unveiled an ambitious long-term strategy aimed at eliminating its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes, amid ongoing regional security concerns.
Speaking in an interview, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani Al Zeyoudi, said the country is moving towards achieving “zero Hormuz dependency” regardless of whether the strategic waterway fully reopens following the interim peace agreement between the United States and Iran.
The plan centers on a major expansion of the UAE’s eastern coast infrastructure, including the ports of Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and Dibba, all located outside the Strait of Hormuz on the Gulf of Oman. The UAE also intends to develop at least one additional harbor along the eastern coastline.
To support the initiative, the country plans significant investments in oil pipelines, railways and road networks connecting eastern ports with key energy production and industrial facilities. Following the announcement of a second crude oil pipeline to Fujairah in May, authorities are also exploring the construction of a third petroleum pipeline and alternative export routes for petrochemicals, LNG and other energy products.
The move comes after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz during recent hostilities involving Iran, the US and Israel, disrupting global energy and commodity flows. Prior to the conflict, around 20% of the world’s crude oil and LNG shipments transited through the waterway.
The UAE has managed to partially mitigate the disruption through its existing 1.5 million barrels-per-day pipeline linking inland oil fields to Fujairah, while increasing cargo movements through Khor Fakkan. However, officials acknowledge that diverting all trade away from Gulf ports such as Jebel Ali Port and Khalifa Port will be challenging and costly.
Despite pursuing alternative logistics corridors, the UAE continues to advocate for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that uninterrupted navigation through the waterway remains essential for regional stability, global trade and energy security. The government has also opposed any efforts by Iran to impose navigation fees on vessels using the strait once normal operations resume.
The proposed infrastructure program is expected to require investments worth several billion dollars and reflects the UAE’s broader strategy to strengthen supply chain resilience and safeguard its position as a global trade and logistics hub.
