Vessel calls at Gibraltar for bunkering reached an all-time high in May 2026, with the ongoing conflict involving Iran continuing to reshape global shipping patterns and fuel demand.
According to Ship & Bunker, citing data from the HM Government of Gibraltar, 599 vessels called at the port for bunkering in May — the highest figure recorded since at least January 2011, the earliest point for which data are available. This compares to 533 calls in April 2026 and 573 in May 2025. The average monthly call figure over the preceding year stood at approximately 457 vessels.
Tonnage Figures Reinforce the Trend
The surge was not simply a matter of smaller vessels swelling the count. Ship & Bunker reports that gross tonnage on the western side of Gibraltar — where bunkering operations take place — reached 22 million GT in May, up from 20.5 million GT in April and 20.6 million GT in May 2025. The tonnage increase alongside the vessel count points to meaningful growth in overall bunker demand at the port, rather than a statistical anomaly driven by lighter traffic.
Iran War Drives Demand Away from the Middle East
According to Ship & Bunker, bunkering hubs situated away from the Middle East have broadly seen rising demand since the outbreak of the Iran war. Regional bunker demand that previously centred on Middle Eastern ports is being displaced, while vessels navigating longer alternative routes are requiring additional fuel uplift at hubs like Gibraltar.
Gibraltar’s position at the entrance to the Mediterranean makes it a strategic refuelling point for vessels transiting between the Atlantic and European trade lanes, particularly when disruption to established routing affects normal fuel planning.
Does This Matter to You?
The record call figures at Gibraltar are a tangible reflection of how geopolitical disruption is redistributing bunker demand across global hubs. As traditional Middle Eastern bunkering volumes shift westward and voyage distances increase, ports like Gibraltar absorb that displaced activity. This has direct implications for fuel availability, pricing dynamics, and supply planning at Atlantic and Mediterranean bunkering locations. Those monitoring bunker market conditions, port congestion, or vessel scheduling along European and transatlantic corridors will want to track whether this demand elevation is sustained or accelerates further.
Ship & Bunker has not indicated how long this elevated demand pattern is expected to continue, as the trajectory remains tied to developments in the Iran conflict.
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: Ship & Bunker
