Oil product terminals in the UAE's Fujairah port have resumed operations, following a halt caused by drone attacks, trade sources told Argus.
Fujairah Oil Tanker Terminal, Vopak and VTTI terminals' main berths are ready to perform cargo loading operations, according to an advisory released by shipping services provider Kanoo Shipping.
Vessel tracking platforms show very little activity or vessel presence around the port or in the anchorage area, which a bunker trader said was because "captains switch off their AIS signals for safety reasons."
Limited bunker deliveries have been continuing, with supplies offered from marine fuel products loaded on barges before the security situation worsened. At least one supplier loaded new supplies from a terminal late on Thursday, 5 March, traders said.
The attacks happened on Tuesday, 3 March, and at least two suppliers declared force majeure on 4 March. It is unclear if they will review the situation.
"Those with commitments to supply high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) will face challenges because the flow of Iranian and Iraqi HSFO is obviously cut," a supplier said.
For Fujairah, the world's fourth largest bunkering center, Iraq and Iran have been the primary source of HSFO — imports from these countries were 210,000t and 432,000t, respectively, in February, data from analytics firm Vortexa show.
