Abu Dhabi has advanced a multi-billion-dollar strategic infrastructure programme titled 'Zero Hormuz' to reduce maritime export vulnerability in the Strait of Hormuz. Managed by Abu Dhabi sovereign platform L'imad Holding, the initiative is expanding both container terminals and oil storage facilities at the Port of Fujairah.
The infrastructure upgrades are explicitly planned to safeguard freight and energy exports to key Asian trading partners, including China. China serves as a principal Asian destination for Gulf energy and cargo flows seeking bypass routes outside congested maritime checkpoints, with the expansion intended to maintain commercial continuity across China–UAE supply chains.
L'imad Holding, a $300 billion sovereign wealth fund led by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, is positioned to deploy tens of billions of dollars more into developing new port and logistics assets situated outside the strategic strait, according to source reports. The logistics development also coincides with structural reorganizations across regional maritime assets, including discussions surrounding the privatization of AD Ports Group at an estimated valuation near $9 billion.
Sources
- UAE-China Chamber of Commerce · 2026-10-03
