UAE plans zero Hormuz dependency with new ports and investments

The UAE is developing alternative port infrastructure to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil and trade passes. Minister for Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi told Bloomberg that the country aims to achieve zero Hormuz dependency, regardless of whether the strait is open or closed. The strategy includes investments in existing ports like Khor Fakkan, Fujairah and Dibba, as well as a new facility on the east coast. Meanwhile, ports in Oman—Duqm, Salalah and Sohar—are experiencing a renaissance, attracting shipping lines and free-zone deals as cargo owners seek routes free from Hormuz's volatility. Analysts caution that securing trade ultimately depends on lasting peace, not just infrastructure.