A new port is being built at Fujairah to handle crude oil exports from Abu Dhabi.
The facility – called the Industrial Port – will eventually deal with up to 1.8 million barrels per day, Captain Mousa Murad, General Manager of Fujairah Port, told
Emirates Business.
The project will be able to serve the world's largest tankers, which will be loaded through pipes while moored offshore. The location near Fujairah Port means the oil will not have to be carried through the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz. Supplies will be delivered to Fujairah through a pipeline.
"The new port will have 17 docks for storing and loading crude oil and will eventually be able to handle 60 to 70 per cent of Abu Dhabi's total oil exports," said Murad.
"Work on the Industrial Port has begun with the construction of four docks at a cost of Dh100 million, which will be ready in June 2010. The remaining docks will be constructed in line with the project's needs.
"The oil will be stored in reservoirs located on the docks at the Industrial Port. Then the oil will be transferred from the reservoirs to the giant ships through pipes at a depth of 44m to 55m. The pipes will be able to deal with the world's largest carriers."
The project will provide a new line to carry Abu Dhabi's oil and will be dedicated to dealing with giant carriers. It will be in addition to the existing line which supplies small carriers.
"This is similar to what Saudi Arabia does; it has two pipelines for its oil exports," said Murad. "One carries crude to a terminal on the Gulf and the other leads to a port on the Red Sea. Our project will have seven modern tugs to serve the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
"The project represents a good beginning and recognises the strategic importance of Fujairah's location. Fujairah Government presented a piece of land for the Industrial Port project and Fujairah Port will provide all the sea services," said Murad.
The project is part of an integrated plan to develop and expand Fujairah Port, in association with DP World, with an investment of Dh900m.
"Proposals to build an oil refinery in Fujairah in co-operation with the Abu Dhabi Government are being studied. The project will have a capacity of between 300,000 and 500,000 barrels per day and would help the export operation and provide fuel for ships."
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