25/04/11
Fujairah biofuel uptake lags despite EU rules push
Dubai, 11 April (Argus) — Alternative bunker fuels like biofuels have yet to
gain significant traction in the UAE port of Fujairah, the world's third-largest
bunkering hub, even though EU regulations such as FuelEU Maritime and the EU
Emissions Trading System (ETS) are driving demand expectations. Discussions at
the S&P Global Commodity Insights FUJCON 2025 this week highlighted a
combination of structural and market-driven factors holding back adoption, with
limited demand from key vessel types and insufficient infrastructure investment
topping the list. The introduction of FuelEU Maritime, which mandates a 2pc
reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity for ships calling at EU ports
starting this year, alongside the EU ETS carbon pricing mechanism was expected
to spur demand for biofuels in Fujairah. Many vessels refueling in the UAE hub
transit to Europe, making compliance with these regulations a potential driver
for alternative fuel uptake. A key reason cited is the limited presence of
containerships and cruise ships in Fujairah's bunkering market. Globally, these
vessel types are the primary consumers of biofuels due to their operators'
commitments to decarbonisation and customer-driven sustainability demands.
Fujairah's bunkering activity is dominated by bulk carriers and tankers, which
have been slower to adopt alternative fuels. "Containerships and cruise ships
are leading the charge on biofuels in Singapore and Rotterdam, but they are just
not a big part of the mix here," said Fujairah harbour master Mayed Alameeri.
"We support the use of green fuels, but without that demand pull, there's little
incentive to scale up." This lack of demand has deterred investments in biofuel
storage and supply infrastructure. Unlike in Singapore and Rotterdam, where
biofuel bunkering is supported by dedicated facilities, Fujairah's
infrastructure remains geared toward conventional fuels. "There is no single
shipowner who has partnered with a supplier in Fujairah on adoption of
alternative fuels," said Hafnia Bunker general manager Kasper Sorensen. "It is
very difficult to make a business case for investment." While there have been
sporadic inquiries from shipowners over the past year, these have been for small
amounts — typically 150-200t — far below the scale needed to spur investment.
"You need steady offtake to justify the capex for tanks and blending," a
Fujairah supplier said. "Right now, we're not seeing it." Market dynamics also
play a role. The price spread between biofuels and conventional fuels remains a
hurdle, with Fujairah's B24 blend trading at a significant premium to very low
sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO). Mandates need certainty The bunker market is under
pressure to decarbonise as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) targets
a 50pc cut in shipping emissions by 2050 from 2008 levels. Alternative fuels are
central to this goal, but regulatory disparities complicate investment
decisions, industry players said. Regulatory uncertainty adds another layer of
caution. While FuelEU's pooling mechanism allows shipowners to offset emissions
across fleets, potentially enabling biofuel bunkering in Fujairah to count
toward EU compliance, clarity on implementation is limited. Bunker market
participants urged the adoption of universal standards for alternative bunker
fuels, warning that fragmented regulations are hampering the shift to
lower-carbon options. "Shipowners are still figuring out how to navigate these
rules which are regionally divergent," said a shipping broker. "Until there's
more certainty, many are sticking with what they know." Still, some market
participants expressed cautious optimism. Rising inquiries, although sporadic,
suggest growing awareness of biofuels' role in meeting EU mandates. "It's not a
flood, but it's a trickle that could build," said a bunker trader. For now,
Fujairah's biofuel market remains in a holding pattern, waiting for demand
signals strong enough to shift the hub's bunkering landscape. By Elshan Aliyev
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