Dubai-based ports and logistics operator DP World announced that vessel calls at its planned Fujairah terminals could cut sailing times on Indian Ocean services by three to five days. Positioned on the UAE's east coast along the Gulf of Oman, the location operates outside the Strait of Hormuz, allowing ships to serve regional trade lanes without navigating Arabian Gulf waters.
The initiative follows an agreement in principle signed in July between DP World and the Fujairah Ports Authority for a 50-year concession. The agreement encompasses the development of two facilities: the Al Rugaylat container and multi-purpose terminal and the Dibba General Cargo terminal. Al Rugaylat is planned to handle up to 2.5 million TEUs of containers annually, alongside 1.7 million tonnes of general cargo and 190,000 car-equivalent units, while Dibba is planned to add up to 3.6 million tonnes of general-cargo capacity.
DP World noted that the phased construction of the terminals is anticipated to take between 24 and 30 months from commencement. The company stated that the alternative gateway is designed to improve schedule reliability and cost efficiency for cargo owners seeking greater flexibility in how freight enters and exits the UAE.
To highlight the demand for diversified shipping routes, DP World cited findings from its Global Trade Observatory survey of 103 chief supply chain officers across 14 markets. The survey reported that 86 per cent of respondents view multimodal and alternative routes as a competitive advantage, while 84 per cent stated that resilience and route optionality have overtaken cost reduction as key strategic priorities.
Sources
- Gulf News · 2026-10-16
