UAE pushes for zero dependency on Strait of Hormuz

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UAE pushes for “zero” dependency on Strait of Hormuz

June 17, 2026

DUBAI,— The United Arab Emirates is moving forward with a major plan to cut its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, even as the world waits for the waterway to fully reopen following an interim peace deal between Iran and the United States, Bloomberg reported.

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi said the country wants to eliminate its dependence on the strait altogether, no matter what happens with the current situation.

He said the goal is to push ahead regardless of whether the route remains open or closed, according to Bloomberg.

As part of the plan, the UAE intends to build at least one new harbor along its eastern coast. The government also plans new pipelines, rail lines and roads to better link its ports with oilfields, gasfields and petroleum sites across the country.

In May 2026, the UAE said it was speeding up work on a second pipeline that would double the crude oil it can export through Fujairah. Al Zeyoudi said the broader plan will be supported by major financial investment.

He added that the UAE is also looking at other ways to keep exports of petrochemicals, liquefied natural gas and other energy products running smoothly.

Separately, the head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said a new pipeline meant to bypass the Strait of Hormuz is now about half complete.

The pipeline is expected to begin operating in 2027. No cost details or exact timeline were given for the broader set of projects.

Al Zeyoudi said the country has already identified weak points in its supply network and is now working to fix them. He said feasibility studies are underway as officials map out next steps.

The UAE currently relies on an existing pipeline capable of moving 1.5 million barrels of crude per day to Fujairah, which lets it partly avoid passing through Hormuz.

The country also depends heavily on Gulf-facing ports, especially Dubai’s Jebel Ali port, one of the largest container hubs in the world, for imports and onward shipping.

Despite its new plans, the UAE has continued to call for uninterrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, saying the waterway remains essential to regional and global stability, security and economic growth.

(With files from Bloomberg, Agencies)