DP World explores Fujairah Port to diversify beyond Strait of Hormuz

DP World is exploring a new port in Fujairah to provide an alternative gateway beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

The proposed development could strengthen the UAE’s logistics resilience while also creating new opportunities for cruise itineraries in the Gulf of Oman as regional security concerns continue to affect shipping routes.

According to the Financial Times, DP World is examining plans for a new multipurpose port and terminal in the emirate of Fujairah that would provide direct access to the Gulf of Oman, allowing cargo to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

The discussions come as renewed tensions between the United States and Iran have raised concerns over the security of one of the world’s busiest maritime trade corridors.

The newspaper reported that the facility would enable containers to be discharged on the UAE’s east coast before being transported overland to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider GCC region, reducing reliance on shipping through the Arabian Gulf.

No further details of the proposed development have been announced.

The project would complement the UAE’s growing multimodal transport network, particularly Etihad Rail, which has operated freight services since 2023 and commenced passenger services to Fujairah earlier this month.

By linking Fujairah with logistics hubs across the country, rail connectivity could allow cargo arriving on the Gulf of Oman to reach major distribution centres without requiring vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

For the cruise industry, the development could also have longer-term implications. While Fujairah already welcomes occasional cruise calls, a modern multipurpose terminal could expand the emirate’s role as an alternative embarkation point or port of call should geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt operations within the Arabian Gulf.

Cruise lines operating winter programmes in the Gulf have already demonstrated a willingness to adjust itineraries in response to regional security concerns.

Earlier this month, Norwegian Cruise Line announced that Norwegian Sky would conclude its repositioning voyage in Muscat instead of Dubai, citing evolving conditions in the Middle East.

While DP World has yet to formally announce the Fujairah project, the reported plans highlight how regional operators are increasingly considering infrastructure investments designed to improve supply chain resilience and reduce exposure to geopolitical disruption in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.