The United Arab Emirates will speed up construction of a major new oil pipeline aimed at doubling the country’s export capacity through Fujairah by 2027, according to an announcement Friday from the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

The move is expected to significantly strengthen the UAE’s ability to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that has faced major disruptions amid escalating regional tensions.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office said Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed directed the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, commonly known as ADNOC, to fast-track the West-East Pipeline project during a recent executive committee meeting.

Officials said the pipeline is already under construction and is expected to begin operations in 2027, though no previous completion timeline was disclosed.

The project comes as Iran has effectively restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran intensified earlier this year. The disruption has affected roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies, contributing to surging energy prices, fuel rationing in some countries and growing fears of broader economic instability fueled by inflation.

The UAE already operates the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline, also known as the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline, which can transport up to 1.8 million barrels of oil per day from inland oil fields to the Gulf of Oman coast.

That pipeline has become increasingly important as the UAE works to maintain and expand oil exports while reducing dependence on shipping routes vulnerable to regional conflict.