UAE's Fujairah port stops bunkering after floods: traders

Fueling for ships at the UAE's Port of Fujairah, the world's third largest bunkering hub, was stopped due to flooding, traders said July 28.

"Operations stopped yesterday evening. It is a very bad situation," a Dubai-based trader told S&P Global Commodity Insights.

"Backlog and delays are there due to no supply. This is just a start, expecting it to be for 18-20 hours," said a second trader.

The port was not available to comment. Efforts to reach the Vitol and Uniper Energy refineries in Fujairah were also unsuccessful.

The UAE military was on location helping people move to an evacuation center in Fujairah, said one resident whose villa was under water. "It has stopped raining, the sun is out and the Fujairah main town is clear but certain other parts are still under water," he said. "As far as I know, the port is closed."

Rain clouds will be over some areas in the region, on the UAE's east coast, and may move into some interior regions, accompanied by active and sometimes strong winds with a speed of 45 km/hour, the National Centre of Meteorology said on its website.

With most bunker fuel oil prices higher, marine fuel with 0.5% sulfur bunkers delivered Fujairah jumped 2.9% to $890/mt on July 28, according to Platts assessments by S&P Global Commodity Insights.