Chinese Involvement in UAE Ports
Document Type
Article
Source of Publication
Chinese Overseas Ports in Africa and the Middle East Navigating Through Smooth and Rough Seas
Publication Date
8-21-2026
Abstract
Chinese investment and contracting in United Arab Emirates (UAE) ports and associated infrastructure projects underscore the depth and limits of bilateral cooperation. Principal centers of Chinese activity include Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port, Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, and the Port of Fujairah. At Khalifa, China’s COSCO Shipping operates a container terminal under a long-term concession and is expanding port infrastructure, enhancing its logistics and industrial capacities. In Dubai, Chinese firms have leveraged Jebel Ali Free Zone’s strategic re-export hub status to bolster regional trade, with significant investments by China National Petroleum Corporation and others. The Port of Fujairah, strategically located outside the Strait of Hormuz, benefits from Chinese investments in oil storage and refining infrastructure. China’s involvement extends to the Etihad Rail project, crucial for connecting UAE ports and facilitating regional trade. In each case there is evidence of economic and operational benefits from working with Chinese companies. At the same time, other factors contribute to underachievement on certain projects, particularly gaps between concept and demand, as seen in the JOCIC Park development, and geopolitical tensions between China and the United States, as seen in responses to China’s alleged attempts to establish a military presence in Khalifa Port.
DOI Link
ISBN
[9781041352587, 9781041353584, 9781003797333]
Publisher
Routledge
First Page
190
Last Page
211
Disciplines
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Keywords
China (0.8) | Port (circuit theory) (0.7) | Corporation (0.64) | Business (0.62) | Investment (military) (0.53) | Principal (computer security) (0.48) | Geopolitics (0.48) | Economy (0.4) | International trade (0.37) | Finance (0.34) | Industrial park (0.32) | Economic impact analysis (0.31) | Strategic planning (0.3) | Oil refinery (0.3) | Work (physics) (0.3) | Business operations (0.29) | Petroleum (0.29) | Special economic zone (0.28) | Chinese economy (0.28) | Commerce (0.27) | Industrial zone (0.26)
Scopus ID
Recommended Citation
Fulton, Jonathan, "Chinese Involvement in UAE Ports" (2026). All Works. 8356.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/8356
Indexed in Scopus
yes
Open Access
no