Since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed in February 2026, the UAE has rerouted much Gulf crude through the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline, using its roughly 1.8 million barrels-per-day capacity to supply the Fujairah export terminal. Industry sources say drone strikes and other attacks at Fujairah interrupted loading operations and reduced volumes reaching markets in March.

Immediate rerouting: ADCOP to Fujairah The UAE has relied on the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP) to send crude around the Strait of Hormuz to the Fujairah export terminal on the Gulf of Oman. ADCOP’s roughly 1.8 million barrels‑per‑day capacity has become the backbone of the UAE’s export strategy since the strait was effectively closed, industry sources said. Oil that previously transited the Persian Gulf via Hormuz is now being loaded at Fujairah. That alternative route, however, has not been a perfect substitute: reported drone attacks and other disruptions have repeatedly interrupted loading operations at Fujairah and lowered actual shipments in March. What the numbers show Available industry estimates point to a notable month‑on‑month fall in loadings at Fujairah in March, reflecting those interruptions. Key points: - If Fujairah operated at full ADCOP capacity, the UAE could move a substantial share of its pre‑crisis export volumes via that route alone. - Shortfalls in loading volumes reduce barrels available for sale even as oil prices have risen, producing mixed fiscal effects across producers. Winners, losers and asymmetric access The closure of Hormuz has had uneven effects across Gulf producers because of differing access to bypass infrastructure: - UAE and Saudi Arabia: Able to shift material volumes via pipelines to the Gulf of Oman and thereby reduce exposure to Hormuz disruptions. - Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain: Lacked comparable bypass routes and faced deeper export cutbacks and sharper revenue impacts. - Iran: Continued to load at some domestic terminals and used alternate shipping arrangements, including a so‑called shadow fleet, to keep exports moving despite the closure. Energy market impact and route security The effective closure of a waterway that previously carried a large share of global seaborne oil highlighted how concentrated flows are at a few choke points. The disruption has lifted prices and emphasised that shipping routes can be used as leverage. The International Energy Agency’s executive director has repeatedly urged diversification of export options prior to the crisis; the current blockage underscores the need for alternative routing. For the UAE, pipelines reaching the Gulf of Oman reduce exposure to Hormuz. For countries without bypass options, the economic pain has been acute. The cessation of LNG shipments from the Gulf adds to the shock, as there is currently no practical bypass for major regional LNG exporters.

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ADCOP's roughly 1.8 million barrels‑per‑day capacity gives the UAE a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz — but repeated attacks at Fujairah have shown that the route is not immune to disruption.

This article was created with AI assistance.