Fujairah bunker fuel hits $1,005 per ton as Hormuz disruption persists

Bunker fuel prices remain at elevated levels across major shipping hubs, with Fujairah recording a significant premium as supply constraints from Strait of Hormuz disruption persist. Very-low-sulphur fuel oil in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, stood at $1,005 per metric ton this week, according to analyst Ship & Bunker. Singapore VLSFO was assessed at $908 per ton, marine gasoil at $1,448 per ton and high-sulphur fuel oil at $770 per ton. Rotterdam VLSFO traded at $731 per ton and Houston at $804 per ton.

Fujairah premium reflects Gulf supply pressure#

The $1,005 per ton price at Fujairah, the Middle East's principal bunker hub, represents a premium of approximately $97 per ton over Singapore and $274 per ton over Rotterdam. Bunkering activity at Fujairah has recovered to about 40 percent of its prewar level, according to industry comments reported from the Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference. Between 10 and 15 commodity vessels continue to transit daily via the Omani corridor south of Hormuz, market observers estimate, though preliminary ship-tracking data cited by Reuters showed weekend transits dropping into single digits.

Singapore prices up 103 percent since January#

Singapore VLSFO climbed from $433.50 per metric ton on 1 January to $878.50 per ton by 11 September, an increase of more than 100 percent, Reuters reported. That was more than 60 percent above pre-conflict levels, even after retreating from the record highs reached during the most acute supply disruption. Ship & Bunker revised its fourth-quarter forecast for a 20-port VLSFO benchmark upward to $758 per ton from $646 per ton, and expects Singapore VLSFO to average $720 per ton in the same period.

Container freight index extends seven-week climb#

The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index reached 3,662.18 in the second week of September, up 72.13 points from the previous week and extending its upward streak to seven consecutive weeks. The figure is approaching the all-time high of 3,733.8 recorded in 2024. Maritime export shipping costs to the eastern United States stood at 9.97 million won per 2 TEU last month, up 24.8 percent from the previous month, according to the Korea Customs Service. Freight rates to the Middle East rose for the sixth consecutive month to 8.84 million won.

Vessel operating cost impact quantified by route#

Fuel costs on a China to U.S. West Coast voyage rose from $155 to $269 per 20-foot container for newer vessels following the early-2026 fuel shock, while older ships saw costs climb from $360 to $626 per container, the St. Louis Fed estimated. Industry executives say the outright shortage of bunkers seen in March and April has abated, and that operators no longer face problems sourcing marine fuel and loading it aboard vessels at major hubs. Shipowners can now generally obtain fuel, but face higher costs and greater uncertainty over regional price spreads, marking a transition from a supply availability crisis to one driven by price and volatility.