Shipping companies are facing serious operational disruptions as bunkering wait times at major refuelling hubs stretch to nearly two weeks, with prices at record highs in key ports across the region.
According to ShippingWatch, citing the Financial Times, vessels are now waiting up to nearly two weeks to refuel or are being forced to divert hundreds of extra nautical miles in search of available fuel. The root cause, as reported, is the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which has severely disrupted energy supplies across the Middle East.
Fujairah and Singapore Under Pressure
The bunkering squeeze is being felt most acutely at Fujairah and Singapore — two of the world’s most critical marine fuel hubs. ShippingWatch reports that record-high prices at both locations are compounding the logistical burden on carriers already grappling with extended wait times.
The combination of prolonged queuing and elevated costs is creating a compounding challenge: vessels face not only financial pressure from inflated fuel prices but also schedule disruptions from extended port stays or lengthy detour routes.
Does This Matter to You?
The reported disruptions hit at the heart of global maritime supply chains. Extended bunkering delays of up to two weeks can cascade into broader schedule failures, affecting cargo delivery timelines, charter party obligations, and laytime calculations. Record-high bunker prices at Fujairah and Singapore — two ports that serve an enormous share of global vessel traffic — add cost pressure at a time when operators are already navigating geopolitical uncertainty in a critical shipping corridor.
The need to sail hundreds of extra nautical miles to secure fuel also raises fuel consumption and emissions, further tightening margins. For those with exposure to the Middle East region or vessels transiting key chokepoints near the Strait of Hormuz, this situation carries direct and practical significance.
The wider context reported by ShippingWatch reinforces the stakes: related headlines include Iranian fees on Hormuz transits being widely criticised, oil prices hitting multi-month lows following a US-Iran peace agreement, and Thailand reviving a land corridor as an alternative to the Strait of Malacca — all pointing to a region in active flux.
Outlook
How long these delays and elevated prices persist will depend heavily on how the broader geopolitical situation evolves. ShippingWatch has not reported a timeline for normalisation. Operators are advised to monitor developments closely through official channels.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: ShippingWatch (citing Financial Times)
