Khorfakkan Port to receive record shipment of 6,068 BYD vehicles from China

Khorfakkan Port in the UAE is set to receive a record shipment of 6,068 new energy vehicles from China, marking the beginning of a new maritime shipping route between the two nations. The colossal roll-on/roll-off vessel, departing from Xiaomo International Logistics Port in Shenzhen, southern China's Guangdong province, initiated the first leg of this direct shipping corridor.

This strategic logistics link is expected to cut transit times for Chinese exports to the UAE and the broader Middle East by three to five days, enhancing efficiency and reliability in transporting vehicles and heavy equipment. Operating under the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, Khorfakkan Port is cementing its role as a key regional automotive logistics hub.

Its commercial terminal, managed by Gulftainer, has witnessed a surge in vehicle handling, processing 24,675 vehicles by August 2026 alone, with an average unloading pace of 141 vehicles per hour since the commencement of the year. At its peak, operations achieved an astonishing 197 vehicles per hour, thanks to the implementation of the Discharge & Drive model, which has streamlined customs clearance and port exit times to a mere 96 hours.

Xiaomo Port, on the other hand, currently operates 12 international vehicle shipping routes, linking China with various destinations worldwide, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, South America, Africa, and Australia. This growing demand for Chinese automotive exports underscores the significance of this new maritime shipping route.