Khorfakkan Port Launches Direct China Shipping Route Outside Hormuz

Sharjah: Khorfakkan Port has launched a new direct maritime shipping service linking the UAE’s east coast with Xiaomo International Logistics Port in Shenzhen, China, strengthening a trade gateway located outside the Strait of Hormuz. The inaugural service involves a roll-on/roll-off vessel carrying 6,068 BYD new-energy vehicles from China. Gulf News reported that the direct connection is expected to reduce vehicle and heavy-equipment transit times by around three to five days. Khorfakkan Port is operated by the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, while its commercial terminal is managed by Gulftainer. The port had handled 24,675 vehicles by August 2026. Reuters separately confirmed that Khorfakkan has already been used as a Hormuz-bypass gateway, with cargo transferred onward by road to Gulf destinations.