Rough weather disrupts bunkering in Gibraltar Strait and wider region

Rough weather has delayed bunkering in the Gibraltar Strait and suspended it in Huelva and at Las Palmas’ outer anchorage.

IMAGE: Stormy clouds above the bay of Gibraltar. Getty Images

Storm Charles has brought strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas to southern and western Spain, the Gibraltar Strait and the Canary Islands this week.

In Gibraltar and Algeciras, rough westerly winds of around 25 knots are forecast in the port throughout the day and tomorrow. This has prompted Gibraltar Port Authority to issue a severe weather warning.

Gibraltar’s vessel traffic service will suspend inbound traffic because of the weather warning, port agent MH Bland said. Bunker operations outside port limits can continue for now, it added.

Eight vessels are waiting for bunkers in Gibraltar, according to MH Bland. Suppliers are running anywhere between 4-14 hours late on deliveries as of now. The delays could increase due to the suspension.

In neighbouring Algeciras, inbound movements at the inner anchorage have been suspended due to rough winds, MH Bland said. The bunker-focused outer Delta anchorage is open. Some suppliers could face delays of about a day, the port agent said.

Bunker operations have been suspended at Las Palmas’ outer anchorage, where winds are blowing at around 25 knots and waves are reaching 1.5 metres, MH Bland said.

Deliveries are still possible at berth and at the inner anchorage, but with some delays.

Bunker operations are also expected to be suspended in Tenerife for at least two days.

In Huelva, rough weather has suspended bunker operations since Monday. Only one bunker barge serves the port, so delays could follow as deliveries are rescheduled.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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