Fujairah

Bunkering in the port of Fujairah

Strategically located along the Gulf of Oman, just outside the Strait of Hormuz, Fujairah has been operational since 1983. It is near some of the biggest oil-producing countries in the world and shipping traffic from tankers has translated into bunker demand and contributed strongly to make Fujairah the world’s third biggest bunker hub, only behind Singapore and Rotterdam.

A third of vessels calling at Fujairah are crude tankers. Oil tankers and chemical tankers make up another third, and the port also sees traffic from a great number of bulk carriers.

Driven by regulatory measures, there has been a shift towards low-sulphur bunker fuels like VLSFO in recent years. Around 17 suppliers offer the grade in the port. Another 13 suppliers offer LSMGO, and eight offer HSFO.

Blends of conventional oil-based bunker fuels and biofuels from by a local producer are also on offer via physical bunker suppliers in the port, either by truck or by barge. Bunker demand for biofuel blends is said to have doubled every year since the turn of the decade.

As authorities move towards limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping, bunker suppliers in Fujairah face growing complexities around compliance standards and pricing pressures – hurdles they must overcome to stay competitive over time.