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[DP World Bets on East Coast Amid Hormuz Pandemic; Jebel Ali Dependence Urgently Needs a Break] ⑴ Facing escalating geopolitical risks in the Strait of Hormuz, DP World is planning to develop a new multipurpose port in Fujairah on the UAE's east coast and add new terminals to the existing port. This move aims to reduce over-reliance on its flagship hub, Jebel Ali Port, and bypass potential blockades of the strait. ⑵ Jebel Ali Port has long been a core pillar of Dubai's status as a global trade and financial center. This strategic shift is occurring against a highly unusual backdrop—Iran recently issued a clear warning that it will resolutely oppose any unauthorized passage through the strait, and regional shipping is already under significant pressure due to military conflict. ⑶ Industry dynamics confirm this urgency. MSC, the world's largest container shipping company, has significantly reduced its calls at Jebel Ali Port due to security risks, instead establishing sea-land intermodal corridors through alternative hubs such as Jeddah Port in Saudi Arabia to circumvent the strait. (4) DP World has implemented multiple contingency measures, including transshipping imported containers through the ports of Fujairah and Hal Fekah on the east coast, and then transporting them via bonded warehouses to Jebel Ali for customs clearance. The railway terminal, officially operational in March 2026, provides crucial support for this multimodal transport network. (5) The UAE government has clearly stated its commitment to the "Zero Dependence on Hormuz" plan, aiming to put a second crude oil pipeline to Fujairah into operation by 2027. DP World's new port construction project is an extension and implementation of this national strategy. (6) If this new port project is ultimately implemented, it will signify a fundamental reshaping of the Middle East's core trade hub structure, with geopolitical uncertainty evolving from a short-term shock into a catalyst for long-term structural adjustments.