UAE advances zero-Strait-of-Hormuz strategy, shifting energy shipments to east coast

UAE Strait of Hormuz strategy is gaining importance as the country shifts more of its shipping operations towards its eastern coastline to reduce dependence on the strategically sensitive waterway. The United Arab Emirates has already begun implementing a “zero-Strait-of-Hormuz” approach, with shipping operations increasingly relying on ports along the Gulf of Oman, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainability at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the UAE had adopted the strategy to strengthen the resilience of its shipping and energy supply chains amid regional security challenges.

The move comes as tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel have raised concerns about maritime security and the uninterrupted movement of oil and other commodities through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the report, Iran has targeted oil tankers in the waterway in response to attacks by the United States and Israel, increasing pressure on regional shipping operations.

By utilising its eastern coastline, particularly Fujairah and Khorfakkan, the UAE aims to reduce its exposure to potential disruptions in the strait while maintaining access to international maritime routes.

Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), Balalaa said the country’s eastern coast towards the Gulf of Oman was operational and that shipments were already being routed through the area.

The strategy reflects the UAE’s broader efforts to strengthen economic resilience, protect energy exports and maintain reliable access to global markets during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.

UAE shifts shipping operations towards Fujairah and Khorfakkan

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime passages, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It serves as a major route for oil and gas shipments from several Gulf producers to international markets.

Disruptions in the waterway can affect shipping schedules, energy prices, insurance costs and global supply chains. For Gulf economies that depend heavily on maritime exports, maintaining alternative transport arrangements is therefore an important part of economic and energy security planning.

The UAE’s eastern coastline provides an alternative maritime outlet through Fujairah and Khorfakkan. Located outside the Strait of Hormuz, these coastal areas provide access to the Gulf of Oman and onward routes to international shipping lanes.

Fujairah is particularly important to the UAE’s energy infrastructure because of its oil storage, bunkering and export facilities. Khorfakkan, meanwhile, is a major port on the country’s eastern coast and serves container shipping and other maritime activities.

Greater use of these locations can help reduce the country’s dependence on routes that pass through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the extent to which individual shipments can be redirected depends on port capacity, available infrastructure, pipeline connections, vessel requirements and the type of cargo involved.

The reported strategy should therefore be understood as an effort to minimise reliance on the strait rather than evidence that every UAE shipment can immediately avoid it.

Regional conflict raises concerns over maritime security

The UAE’s decision comes amid heightened regional tensions that have placed shipping security at the centre of energy policy discussions.

The Strait of Hormuz carries significant volumes of internationally traded petroleum and liquefied natural gas. Any sustained disruption can create uncertainty for energy producers, shipping companies, insurers and importing countries.

Attacks or threats against commercial vessels can increase insurance premiums and freight costs while forcing shipping operators to reassess routes and security arrangements. Delays can also affect the delivery of energy supplies and other essential commodities.

For the UAE, which plays a significant role in international energy markets, reducing vulnerability to maritime disruptions is a strategic priority.

An increased reliance on eastern ports can provide an additional layer of protection by allowing certain exports and shipping activities to bypass the narrow waterway. It can also strengthen the country’s ability to maintain commercial operations when security conditions deteriorate.

Nevertheless, alternative ports do not eliminate every risk. Vessels operating in the Gulf of Oman remain exposed to wider regional security developments, while additional transport arrangements may require investment and operational coordination.

The effectiveness of the strategy will depend on the continued availability of infrastructure, the security of maritime routes and the ability of logistics operators to respond to changing conditions.

UAE highlights its diversified energy mix

Alongside its shipping strategy, the UAE is emphasising the diversification of its domestic energy system.

Balalaa said the country had already developed a diversified energy mix, including a combined nuclear power capacity of 5.6 gigawatts at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. According to the official, the plant supplies approximately 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity needs.

The Barakah facility is a major component of the country’s efforts to expand low-carbon electricity generation and strengthen domestic energy security. Nuclear power provides a source of electricity that does not depend on the continuous combustion of fossil fuels and can contribute to a more diversified power supply.

Diversification can reduce the risks associated with relying excessively on a single fuel source or generation technology. It can also support the country’s long-term objectives related to energy reliability, emissions reduction and economic development.

However, electricity generation and oil export logistics involve different infrastructure systems. While nuclear power strengthens the domestic electricity mix, alternative ports and transport routes address the separate challenge of moving energy commodities to international buyers.

Together, these measures form part of a broader approach to energy resilience that combines diversified electricity generation, maritime infrastructure and international energy cooperation.

Intra-Gulf energy networks support regional security

Balalaa also highlighted the UAE’s contribution to an intra-Gulf energy network designed to strengthen regional energy security.

Cooperation among Gulf countries can improve the resilience of electricity systems by supporting cross-border connections, enabling the exchange of power and helping countries respond to supply disruptions.

Regional energy networks can also improve the use of available generation capacity and provide additional flexibility when demand rises or individual facilities experience operational difficulties.

For the UAE and its neighbours, stronger energy connectivity can complement domestic investments in nuclear power, renewable energy and conventional generation.

Such cooperation becomes particularly important during periods of geopolitical uncertainty, when governments seek to maintain reliable supplies while reducing exposure to disruptions in fuel transportation and international trade.

The development of integrated energy infrastructure also supports the wider objective of building more resilient economies across the Gulf region.

UAE and Senegal to co-host United Nations Water Conference

Alongside energy security, the UAE is preparing to play a major role in international discussions on water security.

The UAE, together with Senegal, will co-host the third United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10, 2026, according to the report. The event is expected to bring together world leaders, policymakers, private-sector representatives and other stakeholders to advance international water-related goals.

The conference will be the first UN Water Conference hosted in the Global South and only the third of its kind since the initiative began almost 50 years ago.

Balalaa said the UAE would contribute to the global water agenda and expressed the expectation that the conference would help bring international leaders together to address persistent financing challenges.

Water security has become an increasingly important development issue as countries face pressure from population growth, urbanisation, climate change and rising demand from agriculture and industry.

Reliable access to clean water and sanitation is essential for public health, food security, economic productivity and sustainable urban development. However, many countries continue to face substantial gaps in infrastructure, investment and access to essential services.

The Abu Dhabi conference is expected to provide an opportunity for governments, development institutions and private investors to discuss practical measures to accelerate progress.

Billions still lack access to safe water and sanitation

The scale of the global water challenge remains significant.

According to figures cited in the report, approximately 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, while 3.4 billion people do not have access to safely managed sanitation services.

These gaps affect communities across developing and developed regions, although the severity and causes differ by country. Inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, pollution, water scarcity and weak service delivery can all limit access to safe water and sanitation.

The financial requirements are also substantial. Balalaa put the global water financing gap at approximately $6.7 trillion, highlighting the scale of investment needed to advance water security.

Closing this gap will require a combination of public funding, international development assistance, private-sector investment and improved project financing arrangements.

Governments must also focus on ensuring that new infrastructure is sustainable, affordable and capable of serving communities over the long term. Investments in water treatment, wastewater management, distribution networks, conservation and efficient irrigation can contribute to improved water security.

The conference in Abu Dhabi could help strengthen international coordination around these priorities and encourage stakeholders to identify financing mechanisms that can translate commitments into practical results.

Energy resilience and water security shape the UAE’s strategic priorities

The UAE’s efforts to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz and its preparations for the United Nations Water Conference demonstrate the importance of infrastructure resilience in the country’s wider development agenda.

On the energy front, the shift towards eastern ports is intended to protect shipping operations from disruptions affecting a critical maritime passage. Domestic energy diversification, including the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, provides another layer of resilience by broadening the sources used to generate electricity.

At the regional level, cooperation through intra-Gulf energy networks can strengthen supply reliability and improve the ability of countries to manage disruptions.

Meanwhile, the upcoming water conference will place the UAE at the centre of international discussions on access to safe drinking water, sanitation and the financing required to meet global development goals.

Both areas require long-term planning, investment and cooperation across borders. Energy security depends on reliable infrastructure and safe transport routes, while water security requires sustained funding, effective governance and investment in essential services.

The UAE’s initiatives reflect an approach that combines domestic infrastructure development with regional cooperation and international engagement.

As geopolitical uncertainty continues to affect maritime trade and countries face growing pressure to improve access to essential resources, the effectiveness of these efforts will depend on implementation, infrastructure capacity and sustained investment.

The UAE’s east-coast shipping strategy represents a significant effort to reduce exposure to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, the country’s energy diversification and preparations for the December water conference highlight its wider focus on strengthening resilience and contributing to regional and global security