Fujairah oil terminal 2 fully operational this year

Abu Dhabi: Fujairah port authorities has said the new Fujairah oil terminal 2 facility will become fully operational later year.

The new 1,500-metre facility, which will have a depth of 18 metres, will allow tankers of up to 180,000 deadweight tonnes (dwt) fully loaded, and very large crude carriers (VLCCs), partially loaded, to be handled.

Last week, the 149,601 dwt vessel Brillante Virtuoso made the first call at the Fujairah oil terminal 2 facility.

The new oil terminal 2 is an addition to the 840 metre oil tanker berth 1, which has been operational since 2006, said the port authorities.

"Our berths have been built to service the growing number of oil storage facilities being established in Fujairah. This is a progressive and logical movement from our well established bunkering and trading market," said Captain Mousa Morad, general manager of the Fujairah port.

"Our strategic location has attracted, and continues to attract, many professional and independent operators worldwide. We continue to assess requirements for further expansion," Morad added.

Fujairah Port is situated 70 nautical miles from the Strait of Hormuz. Its strategic position has proved attractive to both the range of users of the multi-purpose port and the significant numbers of vessels calling at the Fujairah anchorage for bunkers, supplies and service.

Important hub

The seaport is situated at the crossroads of shipping lines between east and west and is one of the UAE's vital facilities. It is an important hub for shippers dealing with the Indian subcontinent and East Africa.

Fujairah Port offers a comprehensive variety of services including oil related activity, container, general cargo, break bulk, project, and maritime logistical supply.

The Fujairah anchorage, which handled over 11,290 vessel calls in 2009, is ranked alongside Singapore and Rotterdam as one of the world's top three bunkering locations.

The Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline project, scheduled to become operational next year, is situated north of the port and will be serviced by three single point moorings. All marine resources will be supplied by the Fujairah port.

Initial construction of the Fujairah port started in 1978 as part of the economic development of the UAE. Full operations commenced in 1983.

Since then the port has embarked on a continuing process of enhancement of both its facilities and its comprehensive range of functions.