Oil loading operations at the key Emirati export hub Port of Fujairah were suspended on Monday after a drone attack ignited multiple fires in the emirate’s petroleum industrial zone, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The port, located on the Gulf of Oman just outside the strategic Strait of Hormuz, typically serves as the exit point for about 1 million barrels per day of Murban crude, making it one of the most critical energy export terminals in the Middle East. The disrupted volume is equivalent to roughly 1% of global oil demand, underlining the potential market impact if the outage persists.
Civil defence teams were working to control the fires at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, according to a statement from the Fujairah government media office. Authorities confirmed that no casualties have been reported, though they did not comment directly on the suspension of oil loadings.
Two sources told Reuters that three separate fires were burning in the industrial zone during the afternoon, including one witnessed directly at the site. The attack reportedly involved drones striking petroleum storage or handling facilities within the complex.
The disruption marks the second major incident affecting Fujairah in recent days. Operations at the port had only resumed on Sunday after another drone strike forced temporary shutdowns over the weekend. The repeated attacks are raising concerns about the security of energy infrastructure across the Gulf.
Escalating Middle East Tensions
The escalating tensions are tied to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has intensified security risks across the region. The conflict has also begun to affect maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
State oil giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the producer of Murban crude exported through Fujairah, did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the suspension of loadings or potential production impacts.
Fujairah is one of the world’s most important bunkering and oil storage hubs, hosting massive tank farms, blending facilities and export infrastructure that allow Gulf producers to ship crude outside the Persian Gulf without passing directly through the Strait of Hormuz. Because of this strategic location, disruptions at Fujairah can have outsized effects on global oil markets and shipping routes.
Energy traders are closely monitoring developments at the port. Any prolonged halt in export operations could tighten global crude supply and potentially push oil prices higher, especially as geopolitical tensions continue to threaten energy infrastructure across the Middle East.
Satellite imagery released on Sunday showed plumes of smoke rising from the port area, suggesting damage to industrial facilities within the complex. The extent of the damage and the timeline for resuming oil loading operations remain unclear.
