Maritime Newletter

Fujairah port thrives on growing tanker traffic - 2009-03-10

Captain Mousa Murad, general manager of the Port of Fujairah, believes tanker traffic will increase. The decline in global trade is bringing down international shipping with it. Yet Captain Mousa Murad cannot help but revel in the prospects for Fujairah. As activity slows at neighbouring Jebel Ali and other ports in the region, possibly forcing them to scale back once ambitious expansion plans, he says he barely has enough space in his port to accommodate any more tankers. And soon, half of Abu Dhabi’s oil exports will be flowing through its port, bringing with it dozens of new businesses and thousands of employees looking for their share of the spoils. The port has made a name for itself as a refuelling hub for the world’s shipping industry. Vessels on their way to pick up cargoes of oil from Kuwait, for example, or textiles from India, often stop off in Fujairah for services. After Singapore, it is the world’s largest refuelling destination. While Fujairah has suffered from the environmental impact of the port, it has become an integral part of the economy, says Capt Murad, who is confident it will bring great benefits to the northern emirate.

Source: The National, UAE