Definition

Fujairah Port, formally the Port of Fujairah, is a major commercial and oil port located on the eastern coast of the UAE along the Gulf of Oman. The port’s unique strategic value lies in its position outside the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which approximately one-fifth of global oil supply transits. This location provides an alternative route for hydrocarbon exports that bypasses the geopolitical chokepoint. Fujairah Port operates both a container and general cargo terminal as well as one of the world’s largest oil storage and bunkering facilities, with tank farm capacity exceeding 40 million barrels.

UAE Context

Fujairah Port is the most strategically significant port in the UAE from an energy security perspective. The ADNOC-operated Habshan-Fujairah oil pipeline, completed in 2012, allows Abu Dhabi’s crude oil to be exported directly from Fujairah, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz entirely. This infrastructure provides the UAE with a critical hedge against any potential disruption to Gulf shipping. Beyond oil, Fujairah has developed as a global bunkering hub, ranking among the world’s top three ship refueling locations alongside Singapore and Rotterdam. The port also supports a growing container and bulk cargo business serving the eastern UAE and Oman border region.

Key Data

• Location: Eastern coast of UAE, Gulf of Oman
• Strategic advantage: Outside the Strait of Hormuz
• Oil storage capacity: Over 40 million barrels in tank farms
• Bunkering rank: Among the world’s top three bunkering ports
• Pipeline: Habshan-Fujairah crude oil pipeline (1.5 million barrels per day capacity)
• Operator: Fujairah Port Authority, with multiple terminal operators
• Key sectors: Oil storage, ship bunkering, container cargo, bulk commodities

Significance for Vision 2031

Fujairah Port’s strategic location ensures it remains central to the UAE’s energy security architecture under Vision 2031. As the country transitions its energy mix, Fujairah’s tank farms and bunkering infrastructure may also adapt to handle cleaner fuels, LNG, and potentially green hydrogen, supporting the net zero 2050 targets. The port’s growing container operations diversify Fujairah’s economy beyond hydrocarbons, aligning with the broader national emphasis on non-oil economic development in all seven emirates.

Related Terms

• ADNOC - Operator of the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline
• Oil Reserves - The hydrocarbon assets exported through Fujairah
• Net Zero 2050 - Climate strategy that may transform Fujairah’s fuel storage role
• Non-Oil GDP - Economic diversification metric relevant to Fujairah’s container growth