Gulf Terminals Group is expanding Khorfakkan Port's capacity from 3.5M to 5M TEU, aiming for over 10M TEU to enhance its strategic position.
Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Sharjah, Gulf Terminals Group - a subsidiary of the diversified UAE conglomerate Crescent Group - is advancing a major expansion of the Khorfakkan Commercial Container Terminal, increasing annual throughput capacity from 3.5 million TEU to 5 million TEU, with a long-term target exceeding 10 million TEU, according to the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zone Authority.
Once complete, the expansion will more than double the terminal's current designed throughput capacity. The Sharjah government intends to leverage the project's strategic location and scale to further reinforce Khorfakkan Port's position as the preeminent gateway hub on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Oman.
On 16 August, the UAE's 'From Khorfakkan, Opportunities Begin' development plan was formally launched, mapping the coordinated interconnection between the port, international shipping routes, and Sharjah's broader logistics network. Khorfakkan Port operates deep-water berths and quayside container cranes capable of accommodating the largest container vessels currently in global service. Situated on the UAE's eastern coastline, the port offers vessels direct access to the Gulf of Oman without transiting the Strait of Hormuz - a locational advantage that distinguishes it from competing facilities in the region.
The expansion forms a significant component of Gulf Terminals Group's USD 2 billion global trade infrastructure investment strategy. Complementary developments include the Dhaid Logistics Park and the Sajaa Logistics Park, which together will deliver a combined annual logistics handling capacity of 2.3 million TEU upon completion. Gulf Terminals Group also plans to integrate Khorfakkan Port into the Etihad Rail network, establishing a multimodal corridor connecting sea, road, and rail freight.
The Khorfakkan Commercial Terminal currently operates six berths spanning 1,880 metres of quayside, equipped with 18 quay cranes and a container yard extending across 450,000 square metres. Gulf Terminals Group manages the terminal's operations under a concession agreement with the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zone Authority. These investments are not isolated infrastructure upgrades - they are part of a cohesive strategic vision to position Khorfakkan as one of the Indian Ocean region's most capable and connected trade gateways.
