Pakistan, May 15 -- The United Arab Emirates has accelerated construction of a major oil pipeline project after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz severely affected global energy supplies and pushed international oil prices sharply higher. Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed directed the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to fast-track the West-East Pipeline project during a high-level executive meeting in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

The new pipeline will significantly increase the UAE's ability to export crude oil through Fujairah, which sits outside the Strait of Hormuz on the Gulf of Oman coast. Officials said the project is expected to become operational by 2027 and will double the country's export capacity through Fujairah. Howev...