Fujairah Port resumes some fuel supplies despite Strait of Hormuz disruptions

Fujairah Port

Fuel oil supplies at the UAE's Fujairah Port rose in recent months, enabling the resumption of bunkering services and an increase in exports to Asia, sources and shipping data revealed.

The port is one of the world's key bunkering hubs, but its sales fell sharply in Q2 after the war on Iran broke out on Feb. 28, disrupting supplier flows from Gulf countries to the port, which is located outside the Strait of Hormuz.

Data from analytics firm Kpler showed the UAE imported 2.6 million tons of fuel oil in Q3 (about 180,000 barrels per day), up from 845,000 tons in Q2.

The data showed imports in September reached 856,000 tons, up from 715,000 tons in August, but well below the 1.7 million tons recorded in February. Data from the London Stock Exchange Group indicated a similar trend.

Imports from Saudi Arabia and Russia

The data showed Saudi Arabia was the largest supplier of fuel oil to Fujairah in July and August, replacing Kuwait, which had been the top supplier before the war. Trade sources said Aramco Trading Co., the trading arm of Saudi Aramco, offered more fuel oil via a tender for October loading.

Kpler data revealed some shipments of unknown origin arrived in Fujairah via ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman.

A senior research manager at Kpler, said that the refinery run rates in the Middle East have improved, and producers are using various methods to export products, notably fuel oil, including unofficial activities, shuttle trades, and ship-to-ship transfers.

Kpler and London Stock Exchange Group data showed Russia was a main supplier to Fujairah in September, and a shipment of low-sulphur straight-run fuel oil from Nigeria's Dangote refinery and another cargo of high-sulphur fuel oil from Pakistan are scheduled to arrive in October.

With increased supply, the UAE regained its position as the top fuel oil exporter in the Middle East, surpassing Syria, which had temporarily become the region's biggest supplier by volume in Q2 after Iraq redirected its fuel oil exports to Syria's Baniyas port.

Kpler data showed the UAE’s fuel oil exports topped 1.4 million tons in September, reaching their highest level in over a year, with most shipments directed to Southeast Asia.

Marine fuel activity gains momentum

Marine fuel sales in Fujairah rebounded in recent weeks, but commercial sources said volumes remain below pre-war levels.

After hitting a record low in Q2, data released by S&P Global Commodity Insights indicated that bunker fuel sales at the port climbed in July but edged down slightly in August.

The data revealed that residual fuel stocks onshore in Fujairah averaged 4.5 million barrels per week in September, up from 3.9 million barrels per week in August, but still below pre-war levels, which stood at around nine million barrels per week.

Spot market supply remained limited, especially for low-sulphur heavy fuel oil, which was mainly sourced from Vitol’s refinery in Fujairah, as well as Kuwait and Europe prior to the war.

Dan-Bunkering, which supplies and trades bunker fuels from Fujairah, said in a note this week that premiums for low-sulphur heavy fuel oil have risen slightly due to limited cargo availability, but additional volumes expected in October could ease market pressure.

It added that supply of high-sulphur fuel oil remains strong, with premiums under pressure, noting that bunkering services overall continue as normal despite regional tensions.