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The Sharjah Ports Customs and Free Zones Authority announced that a roll-on roll-off vessel has departed Xiaomo International Logistics Port in Shenzhen carrying 6068 BYD new energy vehicles bound for Khorfakkan Port in the inaugural sailing of a new direct maritime link between the two facilities. This consignment also established a fresh benchmark at Xiaomo Port which opened operations in late 2021 as the largest single vehicle shipment the Chinese facility has ever processed. The authority highlighted the route as a strategic addition that will support expanded automotive trade flows from China into the UAE and wider Middle East markets.
Khorfakkan Port operated by the Sharjah Ports Customs and Free Zones Authority with its commercial terminal managed by Gulftainer has consolidated its role as a key automotive logistics centre the authority reported. Terminal data released by the operator show that vehicle handling reached 24675 units by August 2026 with an average unloading rate of 141 vehicles per hour across the year. Peak performance has hit 197 vehicles per hour while the Discharge and Drive system has enabled full customs clearance and departure within 96 hours the authority added.
The new service is projected to trim maritime transit times by three to five days compared with conventional routing according to the Sharjah Ports Customs and Free Zones Authority assessment. Khorfakkan’s position on the Gulf of Oman side of the UAE provides direct access to international sea lanes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz a configuration that has drawn growing interest for vehicle and equipment imports. The authority noted that such efficiencies improve reliability for Chinese exporters targeting regional demand.
Xiaomo Port currently maintains 12 international vehicle shipping routes that connect Chinese manufacturers with destinations spanning the Middle East Southeast Asia the Mediterranean Europe South America Africa and Australia port operators there stated. The record consignment to Khorfakkan underscores the rapid expansion of Chinese new energy vehicle exports which have gained substantial market share in Gulf economies in recent years. Industry compilations from regional trade bodies place the UAE among the leading destinations for these shipments.
Sharjah Ports Customs and Free Zones Authority figures indicate that vehicle throughput at Khorfakkan has shown consistent growth throughout 2026 supporting broader port development initiatives. Related port planning documents outline capacity expansion programmes valued at approximately two billion dollars aimed at accommodating rising cargo volumes in the automotive segment. The authority has emphasised continued investment in infrastructure to sustain this momentum.
The arrival of the BYD shipment at Khorfakkan forms part of coordinated efforts to strengthen direct trade corridors between China and the UAE the Sharjah Ports Customs and Free Zones Authority reported. Officials at both ports described the launch as an important step toward more streamlined logistics for finished vehicles and associated equipment. The development arrives as global automotive supply chains increasingly favour faster and more diversified routing options according to port performance reviews.
