Istanbul (ANTARA) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is working on a\nmajor plan to eliminate its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz after\nrecent closures of the vital waterway revealed vulnerabilities in trade\nand energy flows in the Gulf.<\/p>\n
UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani Al Zeyoudi, stated that the\ncountry is moving towards \u201czero dependence on Hormuz,\u201d according to a\nBloomberg report on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The plan emerges as global markets await the full reopening of the\nstrait following a temporary peace agreement between Iran and the\nUS.<\/p>\n
The Strait of Hormuz, which handled approximately one-fifth of global\ncrude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the war, has been\ndisrupted since US and Israeli attacks on Iran began in late\nFebruary.<\/p>\n
The core of the UAE\u2019s plan involves the massive expansion of the\neastern ports of Dibba, Fujairah, and Khor Fakkan, located outside the\nstrait on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, according to the report.<\/p>\n
The nation also plans to construct at least one new port along the\nsame coastline, alongside a new network of pipelines, railways, and\nhighways to connect the eastern ports with oil and gas fields and\npetroleum facilities.<\/p>\n
The UAE is already utilising existing pipelines with a capacity of\n1.5 million barrels per day to transport crude oil to Fujairah, allowing\nthem to partially bypass the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
In mid-May, they announced they would accelerate the construction of\na second pipeline to double crude oil export capacity through Fujairah\nby 2027.<\/p>\n
The country is also studying a third petroleum pipeline and other\noptions to support the export of petrochemicals, LNG, and other energy\nproducts.<\/p>\n
Al Zeyoudi did not provide costs or timelines, stating that the\nprojects are still in the feasibility study stage, although\ninfrastructure expansion is expected to require billions of dollars in\ninvestment.<\/p>\n
Reducing dependence on the Strait of Hormuz remains difficult, as\ndiverting LNG, aluminium, and other commodities from Gulf ports is more\ncomplex than diverting crude oil and refined products.<\/p>\n
The UAE also relies heavily on Gulf ports, particularly Jebel Ali in\nDubai, one of the world\u2019s largest container hubs, for imports and\nredistribution.<\/p>\n
The UAE has repeatedly called for uninterrupted traffic through the\nStrait of Hormuz, stating that the waterway is vital for regional and\nglobal security, stability, and economic prosperity.<\/p>\n
The plan marks a broader strategic shift towards reducing exposure to\ngeopolitical risks in the Gulf and strengthening alternative trade and\nenergy routes outside the strait.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/uae-plans-to-eliminate-reliance-on-strait-of-hormuz-media-reports-1781701019", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }