Fujairah City, capital of the Emirate of Fujairah, anchors UAE’s eastern coast near the Strait of Hormuz.
The operation near the Strait of Hormuz uses ship-to-ship transfers to move oil from Gulf fleets to international vessels. Since early May, about 92 ships have participated, with large-scale activity seen in mid-June. The Apache helicopter downing and US responses feature in the latest developments; officials say no Central Command forces are directly involved in the transfers.
The US has carried out repeated air and naval strikes across Iran to degrade Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases and Gulf allies, and the IRGC has warned civilians near US forces to stay away; the exchanges have closed much of the strait and pushed oil prices higher.
Bloomberg and Arab News report on refining demand, pricing dynamics for Fujairah shipping, and the broader impact of sanctions on Iranian and Middle Eastern crude flows. Independent Chinese teapots and private refiners are adjusting purchases as discounts versus ICE Brent widen for non-Iranian cargoes while Iranian shipments press ahead.
The United Arab Emirates is pursuing a new port and container terminal on Fujairah’s east coast to reduce dependence on Jebel Ali and avoid the Strait of Hormuz. DP World is in talks to develop the site, with plans for a new multipurpose port and a terminal at the existing harbour, amid ongoing clashes linked to Iran’s attacks and U.S. and Israeli actions. Experts say the move signals a push for regional resilience as shipping routes face disruption.
The Gulf states are accelerating pipeline projects to bypass Hormuz as Iran blocks the Strait, while existing routes face strain. Several major lines are nearing completion, with Fujairah and Yanbu expanding capacity; Iraq and Turkey explore alternative export routes. Analysts warn the shift could alter global oil flows and prices.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as Iran resumes attacks and the U.S. reinstates port blockades following a breakdown in a mid-June truce. Gulf exporters are racing to diversify routes to Asia and beyond, while the UAE and Saudi pipelines accelerate capacity to bypass the chokepoint.
The Houthis have captured Mokha and Mayun (Perim), extending their reach near a key shipping lane. The developments threaten flows through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for global oil and cargo, while Saudi exports remain stressed by past disruptions and shifting routes. Authorities note ongoing tensions and potential further escalation.