Sharjah's Khor Fakkan Port Expansion Set to Significantly Boost Regional Trade and Logistics

Khor Fakkan Port is strategically positioned to become a cornerstone of the UAE's trade network, with Sharjah initiating a significant expansion project aimed at more than doubling the port's container capacity. This development aligns with Sharjah's broader efforts to accelerate its transport and logistics infrastructure, as stated by Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi. The port's location, outside the Strait of Hormuz, has garnered increased attention as a vital alternative route for goods entering the UAE, particularly amidst disruptions linked to the US-Iran tensions. Sharjah's objective is to elevate the port's annual container capacity from approximately 3.5 million to five million, with a long-term vision of reaching 10 million.

“We are not only serving as a key artery for the country today,” Sheikh Fahim, who also chairs Sharjah’s Department of Government Relations, commented in an interview with The National. He further elaborated that the anticipated future rail connection is expected to enhance the port's significance, while investor interest in the surrounding logistics infrastructure has seen a notable surge. “My phone has been ringing every week for the last six months, specifically with investors interested in building out our logistics infrastructure to serve the country in the region,” he revealed. The government is actively ensuring the availability of land, infrastructure, and investment opportunities to support this projected growth. Sheikh Fahim also highlighted Sharjah's unique geographical advantage as the sole emirate bordering all six other emirates, presenting a substantial economic opportunity and a significant national responsibility to provide the necessary infrastructure.

Investments in rail, roads, ports, and aviation are collectively poised to transform the emirate's transportation landscape. Sheikh Fahim indicated that the UAE's expanding network is integral to Sharjah's infrastructure development plans. He expressed optimism that the Etihad Rail passenger service could become a preferred mode of inter-emirate travel, thereby alleviating road congestion and offering environmental advantages. A new station near Sharjah's University City is slated for opening on March 30, 2027, serving an area with approximately 45,000 students. “I certainly hope that the new train station close to University City that will open in 2027 will be the primary choice for students to use, not only for the environment but also for their safety and the enjoyment of getting on the train,” he stated. The planned connection to Al Dhaid could also facilitate easier access for visitors to the Sharjah Safari. Sheikh Fahim remarked that the founding fathers of the UAE would be immensely proud of the developing railway network, which offers commuters and businesses a more deliberate choice amidst rising energy prices and unpredictable road conditions due to congestion.

Sharjah Airport is also undergoing a major infrastructure upgrade, with projections to reach an annual passenger capacity of about 25 million by 2027. Sheikh Fahim noted that this expansion extends beyond a larger terminal, enabling longer-range aircraft to facilitate Air Arabia's service to new destinations. He mentioned the airline's Airbus A321 long-range aircraft and its plans to introduce flights to London Gatwick. He also shared his experience on the inaugural flight to Bergamo, Italy, which saw a fully booked return service. “I was pleasantly surprised that the first flight back there wasn’t a seat free,” he said. Collectively, these investments in rail, roads, ports, and aviation are expected to reshape the emirate. “We’re going to see a huge amount of investment in infrastructure, and that’s just going to change the urban fabric of the emirate,” Sheikh Fahim predicted.

As chairman of Sharjah's Supreme Committee for Economic Integration, Sheikh Fahim highlighted that development efforts are extending beyond Sharjah city to encompass communities such as Al Dhaid, Al Madam, Dibba Al Hisn, Khor Fakkan, and Kalba. Projects include the establishment of food-processing centres on the east coast and various tourism developments. He emphasized that Sharjah's development aims to accommodate a growing population while simultaneously enhancing the quality of life for its residents. The emirate's population has increased from 1.4 million to 2.1 million since he joined the government in 2014. He suggested that factors like predictability, established communities, schools, and cultural aspects are more significant drivers for Sharjah than affordability alone, citing the emirate’s three-year rent freeze program and residential developments like Aljada, Masaar, and Al Mamsha. Sheikh Fahim shared his personal enjoyment of weekends spent at Aljada, appreciating its dining and social offerings. “Sharjah is definitely growing. We're no longer, you know, a small city,” he observed. “Quality of life for us is probably the number one KPI that we need to protect.”

Conservation remains a personal commitment for Sheikh Fahim, known as the 'Turtle Sheikh' for his dedication to protecting marine wildlife. “I think there isn't an interview where somebody doesn't highlight the fact that I have this responsibility and being the voice for sea turtles,” he remarked. Despite the extensive development plans, his preferred escape remains the sea, often engaging in free-diving in a marine protected area near Khor Fakkan when he has spare time.