UAE builds way around Hormuz with Eastern coast port expansion

The three ports sit outside the strait.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expanding ports at Khorfakkan, Fujairah and Dibba on its eastern coast, aiming to position them as alternative maritime corridors amidst ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The three ports sit outside the strait, which has seen repeated navigation restrictions and security incidents in recent years. Their location allows continued cargo and energy flow without exposure to those risks.

In 2017, the country secured a Category B seat on the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Executive Council.

Category B membership gave the UAE direct input into IMO regulations covering port operations, fleet management, environmental standards and vessel safety, rather than only compliance with rules set elsewhere.

Dubai World, the state-owned ports operator with facilities in dozens of countries, backed the bid by demonstrating the UAE's operational track record beyond its domestic infrastructure.