Ship refueling at Fujairah, a key bunkering hub in the United Arab Emirates near the Strait of Hormuz, has slowed after a fire due to a drone interception.
According to Reuters, while Fujairah’s terminals remain operational, oil storage firms Vopak and VTTI have temporarily suspended vessel loading operations. Some suppliers and shippers have paused deliveries, awaiting more clarity, while others continue refuelling amid a spike in marine fuel prices.
A fuel tank at Oman’s Duqm commercial port was struck in a drone attack, with no casualties reported by Omani authorities.
Over the last few days, Tehran has been infrastructure across neighboring countries, including energy facilities, ports, and airports. Omani authorities said the damage at Duqm was contained and no casualties were reported, though the port had also been targeted by drones on 1 March, injuring one worker.
The escalation has disrupted energy supplies across the region. According to Reuters, Qatar halted production of liquefied natural gas (roughly 20% of global supply), while Saudi Arabia suspended operations at its largest domestic refinery.
In addition, ship refueling at Fujairah, a key bunkering hub in the United Arab Emirates, has slowed after a fire due to a drone interception.
Meanwhile, on 4 March, UKMTO received a report of an incident 2 nautical miles north of Oman in the eastbound Straits of Hormuz, adding to the list of occurrences in the area in the last 24 hours.
The latest instalments of its ShipShape Health series, showcasing vessel-friendly workout routines for seafarers.
Regular physical movement and exercise are vital for mariners’ strength, injury prevention, and overall well-being. The videos demonstrate how small, consistent efforts can keep mariners fit, energized, and prepared for the physical demands of vessel operations.
The new release includes two exercise videos. The first, Upper Body Workout, features a tailored warm-up and circuit routine with upper body exercises suitable for both shipboard and shoreside environments.
The second, Lower Body & Core Workout, is designed for practicality, requiring minimal space and no equipment. Each movement emphasizes proper form to maximize effectiveness and reduce the risk of injury.
The initiative was brought to life with the valuable participation and support of member Lydia Ann Channel Mooring, whose collaboration was instrumental in promoting seafarer wellness across the maritime industry.
A major search and rescue operation (SAR) is underway roughly 80 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay, after the tug Leo sent out a distress signal late on 2 March.
At 19:02 local time, the vessel transmitted a mayday, reporting uncontrolled water ingress and requesting immediate assistance. Cape Town Radio relayed the distress call to nearby vessels, prompting an emergency response. The tug, carrying 18 crew members, sank in the early hours of Wednesday after the crew abandoned ship into four life rafts.
As of Wednesday morning, 13 crew members have been accounted for, including 12 survivors and one individual presumed deceased. Search efforts continue for the five remaining crew members.
Two merchant vessels and a local fishing boat remain on the scene assisting the rescue, while a helicopter has been deployed to provide aerial coverage of the area.
Adverse weather conditions continue to hamper operations, but authorities report that all available resources are being fully utilized to locate the missing crew.
An Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate the response and ensure cooperation between the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Cape Town, on-scene resources, and other relevant agencies.