Today's Edition
SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ABU DHABI)
The UAE’s energy resilience is powered by alternative export routes and supporting infrastructure that is developed well ahead of potential disruptions, with spare capacity providing critical flexibility to maintain supplies to global markets, a senior official has said.
“The past (few) months have reinforced a principle our industry has long understood: resilience comes from options, and options must be built long before they are needed,” Yasser Zaghloul, NMDC Group CEO, told Aletihad.
In an interview on the sidelines of ADIPEC 2026, which concluded in the capital on Thursday, Zaghloul said the UAE’s existing infrastructure has demonstrated the importance of having access to alternative energy export routes.
“The UAE's leadership showed real foresight in this regard. Existing infrastructure such as the Habshan–Fujairah pipeline gave the country the ability to keep supplying global markets when conditions in the region changed. As [Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei,] Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said, spare capacity is resilience, and optionality is part of being resilient,” Zaghloul said.
“What we are seeing across the sector is a stronger emphasis on that kind of strategic redundancy: export capacity outside the Strait, storage, marine terminals, pipelines and the logistics that connect them,” he added.
Fujairah is expected to play an increasingly important role in the UAE’s energy export network, with larger volumes of crude requiring an expanded marine and offshore ecosystem.
Zaghloul explained: “Fujairah has long been a strategic asset for the UAE. It is already one of the world's largest storage and bunkering hubs, and its importance is clearly growing. Moving larger volumes through any export hub depends on a complete marine and offshore ecosystem, not just one asset.
“That typically means deeper channels and berths for larger tankers, additional jetties, offshore loading facilities and subsea pipelines, more storage and terminal capacity, breakwaters and coastal protection, and strong marine support fleet. It also needs the enabling infrastructure around it, such as water and power.”
About 15 years ago, NMDC was responsible for deepening the port and dredging a new basin to accommodate very large crude carriers. NMDC also recently signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a major desalination plant in the Fujairah port. Zaghloul said the company is well positioned to deliver on any additional requirements in Fujairah.
The company currently operates a fleet of 170 vessels and marine units, and has its own fabrication yards.
“Our diversification across sectors and geographies, our integrated model and our balance sheet, with Dh3.9 billion in net cash at the end of September, give us the stability to keep delivering for our clients,” Zaghloul said.
Asked if the current regional situation had changed the company’s priorities, the official said safety remains a central undertaking.
“Our strategy has not changed. Our vigilance has increased. The safety of our people comes first, always. Many of our colleagues work offshore and at sea, and their wellbeing and that of their families guides every operational decision we take. We have intensified our scenario planning, strengthened coordination with our clients and the relevant authorities, and continued diversifying our supply chains so that we have practical alternatives if conditions change,” Zaghloul said.
In terms of long-term investment priorities, NMDC Group is continuing to prioritise its fleet, including Abu Al Bakhoush, its yards, digital capabilities, and talent.
NMDC has previously contributed to developing Fujairah’s port infrastructure, deepening the port and dredging a new basin to accommodate very large crude carriers (VLCCs) more than 15 years ago.
The group has been involved in developing the UAE’s energy infrastructure for five decades, including offshore facilities, artificial islands for major oil and gas developments, marine terminals, and onshore and offshore pipelines.
