Port Guide · Middle East

Bunkering at Fujairah

Fujairah is the Middle East's dominant bunkering hub and the world's third-largest port by marine fuel volume, supplying approximately 7.5 million tonnes in 2024. Its significance lies in its geography: it sits on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz. Vessels can refuel without navigating the geopolitically sensitive Strait, which has repeatedly become a chokepoint for tanker traffic.

Key Port Facts

UN/LOCODE
AEFJR
Coordinates
25.17°N, 56.37°E
Timezone
UTC+4
Volume
~7.5 million tonnes (2024)
Global Rank
#3
Port Authority

Port of Fujairah

Fuel Grades Available at Fujairah

Seven Ocean procures the following marine fuel grades at Fujairah. Click any grade for full technical specifications.

Delivery Methods

Primary Anchorages

Fujairah Offshore Anchorage Area (FOAA) — the world's largest bunkering anchorage by area

Port Detail

Strategic positioning

Because Fujairah is outside Hormuz, vessels serving the wider Indian Ocean trade — from East Africa to the Indian subcontinent — can take bunkers without the insurance premium, delay risk, or pilotage complexity of entering the Arabian Gulf proper. This has made the port the anchor of the entire Arabian Peninsula bunker market.

Storage and infrastructure

Fujairah has one of the largest concentrations of commercial oil storage in the world — over 10 million cubic metres across multiple terminal operators. Product is piped from storage to dedicated bunker barges operating the FOAA anchorage. The port has become a de facto physical hub for fuel oil blending, Arab Gulf crude storage, and VLCC-scale operations.

Fuels and delivery

Standard fuel grades are universally available. Biofuel blends have been introduced recently but volumes remain limited relative to Singapore or Rotterdam. Delivery is almost exclusively barge-to-ship at anchorage. The anchorage's vast size means waiting times are typically minimal even during peak periods.

Operational notes

Weather in the Gulf of Oman is generally benign except during the shamal season (November-March) when northwesterly winds can disrupt barge operations for short periods. Port clearance is efficient; standard documentation applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take bunkers at Fujairah without entering the Arabian Gulf?

Yes — that is the port's primary value proposition. The FOAA anchorage is reached from the Gulf of Oman side and does not require transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This is the main reason vessels on east-west routes consistently choose Fujairah over ports inside the Gulf.

How does Fujairah pricing compare to Singapore?

Fujairah typically trades at a modest premium or parity to Singapore, depending on refinery economics and seasonal demand. For vessels routing via the Indian Ocean, the detour economics of going to Singapore vs Fujairah should be modelled per voyage.

Is HSFO available for scrubber vessels at Fujairah?

Yes, HSFO (3.5% sulphur) is consistently available for vessels with compliant exhaust gas cleaning systems. Fujairah's refining catchment and storage depth make HSFO one of its stronger product lines.

What lead time is needed for a stem at Fujairah?

Standard grades typically require 2-3 days' nomination for new accounts; 24-48 hours for established relationships. Availability is rarely a constraint because of the port's storage depth.

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