The Dubai-based ports operator had intended to begin expanding container capacity at the site to 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) this year. This was to be followed in time by a second phase taking capacity to 3 million TEUs.

However, Tamer Masoud, harbour master for the Fujairah Port Authority, says that the downturn has forced the operator and the port to focus on its primary function as an oil export terminal, with work on the container shipping section postponed.

“We have fallen behind with the container terminal but it makes sense to postpone this because of the economic crisis,” he said, speaking at MEED’s Port Development 2009 conference in Dubai on 2 February.

Work is continuing on the construction of a second oil terminal and oil storage facilities at the site, as well as new berths for oil tankers.