Marine fuel sales at Fujairah recovered sharply in July following several months of decline, though volumes remained well under year-ago levels, according to Ship & Bunker, citing data from the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone and S&P Global Commodity Insights.
The Middle East’s largest bunkering hub sold a total of 231,865 m3 of marine fuel, excluding lubricants, last month. That figure represents a 167.2% increase from June, but it is still 63.8% lower than sales recorded in July 2025, Ship & Bunker reports.
Sales Recovery Follows Months of Decline
According to Ship & Bunker, July’s sales were the highest recorded at Fujairah since March, when the outbreak of the Iran war began weighing on regional bunker demand. Sales had fallen consecutively each month since then, hitting a record low in June before the July rebound.
VLSFO Leads the Increase
Sales of 380 CST VLSFO, Fujairah’s most-traded grade, surged 314.8% month-on-month to 143,487 m3 in July, Ship & Bunker reports. Despite the jump, this volume remained 63.3% below the same period last year. Sales of 180 CST VLSFO, however, fell 18.3% from June to 1,700 m3, even though this was 40.9% higher than in July 2025.
High sulfur fuel oil also saw gains, with 380 CST HSFO sales rising 65.8% month-on-month to 70,312 m3, though this remained 65.8% below July 2025 levels, according to the report.
Distillate sales similarly increased, led by LSMGO, which rose 115.6% from June to 16,198 m3 but was still 62.4% lower than a year earlier. MGO sales dipped 7.2% month-on-month to 168 m3, although they were 31.3% higher than in July 2025, Ship & Bunker notes.
Price Drop May Have Spurred Demand
According to Ship & Bunker price data, Fujairah’s average VLSFO price in July stood at $762.5/mt, down sharply from $1,116/mt in June, though up from $516/mt in July 2025. The report suggests this steep price decline from June may have contributed to the increase in VLSFO sales at the port.
For comparison, Ship & Bunker’s G20-VLSFO Index, which tracks average prices across 20 major bunkering ports, stood at $760/mt in July, down from $782/mt in June but up from $553/mt a year earlier.
Ship & Bunker notes that with no resolution yet in negotiations between the US and Iran, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains well below pre-war levels, though it has not stopped entirely. This reduced traffic could continue to weigh on bunker demand at Fujairah going forward.
Does This Matter to You?
Fujairah’s role as the Middle East’s largest bunkering hub means fluctuations in its sales volumes and pricing carry weight for vessel operators and traders routing through the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters. The continued suppression of traffic through the Strait, as noted in the report, points to ongoing operational considerations for those planning transits or refueling in the region. Bunker buyers may also find the price volatility between June and July relevant when assessing procurement timing at this hub compared to other major ports.
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 (data via Fujairah Oil Industry Zone / S&P Global Commodity Insights)
