The United Arab Emirates is moving forward with an ambitious plan to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz to zero, seeking to protect its economy and energy exports from future disruptions in one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

Speaking to Bloomberg, UAE Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi said the country is pressing ahead with the initiative regardless of whether the Strait fully reopens. “We’re moving toward having zero Hormuz dependency,” he said, adding that the UAE will continue developing alternative export routes even if maritime traffic returns to normal.

At the center of the plan is a major expansion of the ports of Dibba, Fujairah, and Khor Fakkan, all located on the Gulf of Oman outside the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE also intends to build at least one additional harbor and invest heavily in transportation and logistics infrastructure connecting the ports to the rest of the country.

Officials are also evaluating construction of a second pipeline that would significantly increase crude export capacity through Fujairah. The existing pipeline has already allowed the UAE to bypass the Strait for part of its oil exports and proved critical during recent disruptions to regional shipping.

The broader goal is to ensure uninterrupted exports of crude oil, petrochemicals, LNG, and other energy products while reducing the country’s vulnerability to future regional conflicts and threats to maritime commerce.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)