A Dubai-based logistics firm, DP World, has announced a deal with the United Arab Emirates to develop a new port system designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. This initiative aims to mitigate disruptions to global oil and gas shipments caused by the ongoing war in Iran.

The project will establish two new shipping terminals on the UAE's east coast, significantly boosting DP World's container capacity by approximately 13 percent. This expansion will enhance the infrastructure in Fujairah, an Indian Ocean port city strategically positioned to circumvent the strait. DP World, which manages about 10 percent of global container traffic annually, seeks to reduce its reliance on Jebel Ali, its busiest Middle East port experiencing reduced activity due to the conflict.

Sheikh Saleh Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, chairman of Fujairah Ports Authority, hailed the project as a "key milestone" for Fujairah's maritime growth. This Emirati effort to diversify supply chains comes amid heightened concerns over vessel attacks and the strategic jostling for control of regional waters. Daily crossings through the Strait of Hormuz have plummeted from over 100 ships to double-digit numbers or lower amid the fighting.