UAE is building alternative transport routes in preparation for blockade of Strait of Hormuzbeik
Quick Look
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that it is building alternative routes in case the Strait of Hormuz is blocked due to the war between the United States and Iran, including expanding port capacity on the east coast, developing oil pipelines, railroads, and trade routes, utilizing the existing joint-Fujairah oil pipeline, and doubling bypass transportation capacity by building a second oil pipeline by 2027.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic point through which 20% of the world's energy supply passes, and concerns are growing about its blockade as tensions between the United States and Iran increase. The UAE is a major supplier of LNG and crude oil and exports energy to Asian countries.
(Cairo = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Sang-hoon = The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on the 7th (local time) that it is building an alternative route to prevent its energy exports and trade from being affected by the war between the United States and Iran.
Anwar Gargash, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the UAE President, attended the Healy Forum held in Abu Dhabi that day and said, “Our energy exports and economic activities will not be held hostage to conflict.”
Advisor Gargassi explained that oil pipelines, railroads, and trade routes are being developed to expand port capacity on the east coast and secure alternative corridors.
He also mentioned the issue of rights of passage in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's energy supply passes.
Advisor Gargash dismissed Iran's claim that the Strait of Hormuz is its territorial waters, saying, "Freedom of navigation is not an issue that should be conceded or renegotiated under pressure."
He went on to emphasize solving long-term problems for the stability of the energy supply chain, adding that clear guarantees must be put in place to prevent further Iranian attacks on Gulf countries.
The UAE, a major supplier in the global energy market, has supplied a significant portion of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil exports to major Asian countries such as India, Japan, China, and Korea.
As the Strait of Hormuz was blocked after the outbreak of the war with Iran, the UAE is making every effort to secure alternative transportation routes, such as advancing the construction of a second oil pipeline that will double the bypass transportation capacity by 2027 in addition to the existing Combined-Fujairah oil pipeline (transporting up to 1.8 million barrels per day) bypassing the strait to the Gulf of Oman.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
UAE to accelerate construction of second oil pipeline that will double bypass capacity by 2027
Likely · Within years
A clear guarantee will be put in place to prevent further Iranian attacks on Gulf countries.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What are the specific costs and financing plans for the construction of the second oil pipeline?
- Can bypass transport to the Gulf of Oman provide sufficient replacement capacity in the event of a real blockage of the Strait of Hormuz?
- What type of concrete guarantees do you need to prevent further attacks by Iran?
