The UAE: Avoiding harm and building alternatives in an era of maritime transformations

A simplified narrative often circulates across social media suggesting that there is “no longer any need for the Strait of Hormuz,” as if the UAE’s development of alternative routes implies abandoning one of the world’s most important international waterways. Yet followers of the UAE’s maritime policy argue that such a claim overlooks a fundamental principle in the country’s strategic approach: the UAE does not build alternatives in order to replace; it builds them to protect, fortify, and enhance its strategic resilience in a world where transformations accelerate and risks multiply.

These observers cite reports by the International Energy Agency, which affirm that “diversifying export routes in the Gulf enhances global supply resilience,” reflecting alignment between UAE policy and international approaches to maritime risk management.

The UAE, having long recognised the geopolitical challenges of the region, adopted an approach centered on avoiding harm — reducing the impact of threats without disrupting the essential routes that underpin its economy and maritime standing. This approach is not reactive; it is anticipatory, built on establishing systems capable of functioning under all conditions, both inside and outside the strait.

Followers of the sector point to analyses by S&P Global, which describe the UAE as “one of the most logistically resilient countries in the region.”

Critical artery of global trade

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical arteries of global trade, and no country — regardless of its capabilities — can treat it as an option that can be ignored or dispensed with. It is an international waterway governed by maritime law, supporting global energy flows and shaping the economic security calculations of regional and global actors. Yet observers note that the UAE, fully aware of the strait’s strategic importance, chose to reduce the impact of any potential disruption by building a parallel system that operates both within and beyond the strait, without diminishing its role or significance.

This understanding is reinforced by Lloyd’s List, which states that building parallel routes in the Gulf “does not aim to bypass the strait, but to fortify national economies.”

A clear example of this logic can be seen when an airport is subjected to hostile shelling. The state does not abandon aviation or replace air transport with another mode; it repairs the damage, strengthens protection, opens alternative routes, and resumes using the airport once the threat subsides. Hostile acts are the exception, not the rule, and alternatives are built to reinforce strength, not compensate for weakness. The same logic applies to the Strait of Hormuz.

Alternative system

In this context, the UAE has emerged as an advanced model in building an alternative system operating outside the strait. Fujairah Port, located on the Arabian Sea, has become a global hub for ship bunkering and a cornerstone of the country’s maritime resilience. With the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah pipeline, the UAE can export oil without passing through the strait — an embodiment of long-term strategic foresight.

World Bank reports note that Fujairah represents “one of the most important logistical resilience points in the Middle East.”

Meanwhile, Khorfakkan Port, which is undergoing significant expansion, has become one of the pillars of the UAE’s maritime flexibility. Its recent reception of the largest shipment of Chinese cars demonstrates its readiness to handle massive commercial flows and proves that the UAE’s alternatives are not theoretical projects but fully functioning systems on the ground. These ports — alongside Jebel Ali and Khalifa — form an interconnected network enabling the country to redirect commercial movement swiftly and efficiently, in line with the philosophy of avoiding harm.

Observers note that this approach aligns with findings from Chatham House, which highlight the UAE’s “ability to manage maritime risks through a multi-directional port network.”

Fortifying economies

Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its energy routes reinforce the same idea. The East–West pipeline (Petroline), which transports oil from the Eastern Province to Yanbu Port on the Red Sea with a capacity exceeding five million barrels per day, represents a regional model of building alternatives without abandoning essential routes. This Saudi model, alongside the UAE’s, confirms that the region’s states are not seeking to bypass the Strait of Hormuz but to fortify their economies through parallel pathways that ensure operational continuity under all circumstances.

The CSIS in Washington notes that “the UAE and Saudi approach to building alternatives represents a strategic evolution in global energy security.”

Through its approach of avoiding harm, the UAE is not attempting to erase geography; it is managing it intelligently. The strait remains a pivotal international waterway, and alternatives remain tools for enhancing resilience — not for eliminating foundational routes. In an era of accelerating maritime transformations, the UAE presents an advanced model of a logistical system capable of operating both inside and outside the strait, without being hostage to any single route or sudden circumstance.

Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi is former UAE Minister of Climate Change and Professor of Sustainability at the American University of Sharjah