BYD Is Sending 6,068 EVs to the UAE in One Massive Shipment

[6,068 BYD EVs are heading to the UAE as a new direct China–Khorfakkan shipping route accelerates the region’s electric-car boom.]

Khorfakkan Port to Receive 6,068 BYD EVs as New China-UAE Shipping Route Boosts Electric Car Supply

The UAE is preparing to receive one of the largest single shipments of Chinese-made electric vehicles in the country's automotive logistics sector. A massive RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessel carrying 6,068 BYD electric and new energy vehicles is heading to Khorfakkan Port in Sharjah.

Beyond the sheer size of the shipment, the arrival is significant because it inaugurates a new direct shipping route between Shenzhen's Xiaomo International Logistics Port and Khorfakkan Port.

For BYD and other Chinese automakers, the new route could mean faster vehicle deliveries, more consistent showroom inventory and a more efficient gateway into the UAE and wider Gulf markets.

Key Highlights

• 6,068 BYD new energy vehicles are set to arrive at Khorfakkan Port, marking one of the largest single EV shipments to the UAE.
• A new direct Shenzhen–Khorfakkan shipping route has been launched, designed to strengthen automotive trade between China and the UAE.
• The new route could reduce vehicle transit times by around three to five days, helping BYD replenish UAE inventory faster.
• Khorfakkan Port has handled 24,675 vehicles in 2026, with an average unloading rate of 141 vehicles per hour and peak throughput of 197 vehicles per hour.
• The shipment highlights BYD’s growing ambitions in the UAE and wider Middle East, while reinforcing Khorfakkan’s role as a strategic automotive logistics hub.

New Shenzhen-Khorfakkan Shipping Route Cuts Transit Time

The BYD shipment marks the beginning of a direct maritime connection between Shenzhen and the UAE.

The vessel departed from Xiaomo International Logistics Port in Shenzhen, creating a more direct route for vehicle exports into the UAE. By reducing the need for intermediary stops, the new connection is expected to cut shipping times by approximately three to five days.

That reduction could become increasingly important as Chinese EV manufacturers expand their presence across the Middle East.

Faster maritime logistics can help automakers:

• Replenish UAE dealership inventory faster

• Reduce vehicle transit times

• Improve supply-chain efficiency

• Support exports into other Gulf markets

• Respond more quickly to changing customer demand

The shipment is also reportedly the largest single vehicle shipment handled by Xiaomo Port since operations began in late 2021, highlighting the growing scale of China's automotive exports to the Gulf.

Why Khorfakkan Port Is Important for BYD

Khorfakkan Port has a strategic geographical advantage. Located on the UAE's east coast and outside the Strait of Hormuz, the port provides direct access to the Gulf of Oman.

This makes Khorfakkan particularly valuable for international trade and vehicle imports, with connectivity to markets across the UAE, GCC, Indian subcontinent and East Africa.

Khorfakkan Port's Major Capabilities

The port's commercial terminal is managed by Gulftainer, while the wider port is operated under the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority.

Faster Vehicle Handling Could Benefit UAE Dealerships

Khorfakkan's vehicle-handling capabilities are another major reason why the port is becoming increasingly important for automotive imports.

The terminal has reportedly processed 24,675 vehicles in 2026, with an average unloading rate of 141 vehicles per hour. During peak operations, that figure can reach 197 vehicles per hour.

The port's "Discharge & Drive" system is also designed to speed up the movement of vehicles after unloading. Vehicles can reportedly clear customs and leave the port within 96 hours of arrival.

For automakers such as BYD, faster port processing can translate into shorter waiting periods before vehicles reach dealerships.

BYD's Growing UAE Presence

The latest shipment comes as BYD continues expanding its presence in the UAE's rapidly developing electric vehicle market.

The Chinese automaker has been increasing its regional model portfolio across fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The arrival of more than 6,000 vehicles in a single shipment suggests that BYD is preparing for sustained demand across the UAE and potentially other Middle Eastern markets.

The UAE is particularly important for Chinese EV manufacturers because of its developed charging infrastructure, strong interest in new-energy vehicles and position as a regional distribution centre.

China-UAE Automotive Trade Is Accelerating

The new route also reflects a much larger shift in global automotive logistics.

Xiaomo International Logistics Port currently operates 12 international vehicle shipping routes, connecting Shenzhen with markets across:

• Middle East

• Southeast Asia

• Europe

• Mediterranean region

• South America

• Africa

• Australia

China's automakers are rapidly increasing overseas vehicle exports, and the UAE is emerging as one of the most important gateways for these brands into the Middle East.

The new Shenzhen-Khorfakkan vehicle shipping route could therefore become more than a one-off logistics connection. It has the potential to support a larger flow of Chinese electric vehicles into the UAE and surrounding markets.

What the 6,068 BYD EV Shipment Means for UAE Buyers

For UAE car buyers, the biggest potential benefit is better vehicle availability.

A regular and faster supply chain could help BYD maintain stronger dealership inventory, particularly as demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles continues to grow.

It could also reduce the possibility of prolonged waiting periods for popular models and allow BYD to respond more quickly to market demand.