Bunkering continues in Fujairah despite drone strike-induced fires
Bunkering operations continue at the UAE port of Fujairah despite fires caused by a drone strike on the Fujairah Oil Industries Zone on Monday morning, according to a source.
IMAGE: Bunker barge at berth in Fujairah, UAE. Port of Fujairah
Civil defense teams worked to contain the blaze, the Fujairah government media office said in a statement, adding that no casualties were reported.
However, oil loading operations were reportedly suspended temporarily following the attack, but some loadings resumed late on Monday, according to a Reuters report.
The suspension marks the second major disruption at the vital bunkering hub in recent days. Operations at Fujairah had resumed on Sunday after being halted following a separate drone strike over the weekend.
Port authorities in Fujairah and Khor Fakkan have not issued any formal alerts so far. However, navigational warnings have been circulated following reports of intermittent GPS spoofing and signal jamming in offshore areas near Fujairah. These disruptions can lead to inaccurate positioning, irregular vessel movements and potentially misleading navigational data. Mariners have therefore been advised to treat the area as high risk, according to shipping agency Inchcape Shipping.
Located on the UAE’s east coast outside the Strait of Hormuz, Fujairah is one of the world’s key oil storage and bunkering hubs, providing strategic access to global shipping routes.
Elsewhere in the UAE, terminal operations at Jebel Ali, Hamriya and Sharjah Port are proceeding normally. Petroleum ports in Abu Dhabi, including Ruwais are also functioning as usual.
Ras Al Khaimah Ports remain open and are operating normally. RAK Ports Group will implement a marine risk surcharge applicable to all vessels calling at RAK Ports’ ports, harbours, anchorages and approaches, the shipping agency added.
By Tuhin Roy
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