UAE opens direct sea route to China, cutting car delivery time

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has launched a new direct maritime trade route with China, creating a faster shipping link between the two countries and reducing the time needed to transport vehicles.

The new route connects Khorfakkan Port, located on the Gulf of Oman outside the Strait of Hormuz, with China’s Xiaomo Port. According to the Emirates News Agency, the service will bring large shipments of vehicles directly from the Chinese port to Khorfakkan.

The launch is expected to give vehicle importers and logistics companies a quicker option for moving cargo between China and the UAE. The new direct service will reportedly cut vehicle transportation times by three to five days, improving efficiency across the supply chain.

Khorfakkan’s strategic location on the Gulf of Oman makes it an important maritime gateway, with direct access to international shipping routes. The new connection could further strengthen the port’s role in handling Chinese goods and automotive shipments bound for the UAE and wider regional markets.

The development also reflects growing trade and logistics cooperation between the UAE and China, particularly as demand for faster and more reliable supply chains continues to increase.

For the automotive sector, shorter transit times could mean quicker deliveries, smoother inventory planning and greater flexibility for businesses handling vehicles imported from China.

With the new route now operational, the UAE is strengthening its position as a regional logistics hub while providing Chinese exporters with a more direct maritime connection to the Gulf.

The service is expected to support growing bilateral trade and make vehicle movement between the two markets faster and more efficient.