Offshore Cryogenic Refueling Haven Outside the Strait of Hormuz Safeguards East-West Liner Services and Tanker Fleets, Offering Zero-Boil-Off Barge Transfers and FuelEU-Compliant Proof-of-Sustainability Certification

FUJAIRAH / ABU DHABI — In a major expansion of the Middle East’s clean marine fuel infrastructure, ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S), in operational partnership with AD Ports Group and the Port of Fujairah Authority, has officially commissioned a dedicated Offshore Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Alternative Dual-Fuel Bunkering Station at the Fujairah Outer Anchorage.

Positioned along the Gulf of Oman outside the sensitive Strait of Hormuz chokepoint, the deepwater floating bunkering station provides international ocean carriers, deep-draft bulkers, and energy tankers traversing the Indian Ocean with a commercial alternative to conventional heavy marine fuels. The offshore hub allows commercial tonnage to replenish cryogenic LNG, certified bio-LNG, and low-sulfur marine gasoil (LSMGO) via high-capacity ship-to-ship (STS) transfers without diverting into the Persian Gulf or queuing at congested coastal quaysides.

Offshore Marine Architecture & Technical Specifications

The offshore bunkering grid is anchored by newly deployed, ice-class-rated cryogenic bunkering tankers and stationary offshore supply units custom-engineered for heavy open-swell operations:

  • High-Capacity Dual-Fuel Bunkering Tankers: The facility deploys purpose-built 12,000-to-18,000-cubic-meter ($m^3$) LNG bunker supply vessels outfitted with sub-cooling systems, dynamic positioning (DP-2), and high-reach cryogenic loading arms.

  • Rapid-Pumping STS Transfer Rates: The station delivers transfer pumping rates exceeding 1,500 to 2,000 $m^3$ of cryogenic liquid per hour, allowing ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) exceeding 15,000 to 24,000 TEUs and dual-fuel Capesize bulkers to complete full refueling cycles within 6 to 8 hours.

  • Zero-Emission Boil-Off Gas (BOG) Reliquefaction: Outfitted with closed-loop vapor balancing manifolds and sub-cooler reliquefaction plants, the station recovers and returns 100% of boil-off vapors generated during high-velocity transfers, preventing methane slip and atmospheric venting.

  • Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS) Protocol: Certified under international SIGTTO (Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators) guidelines, the transfer array allows calling merchant vessels to conduct cargo operations, crew husbandry, and dry provisions loading simultaneously while bunkering, eliminating trailing harbor delays.

Securing the Decarbonized East-West Maritime Belt

The commissioning arrives as global shipping consortia—including the Ocean Alliance, Gemini Cooperation, and Premier Alliance—accelerate the deployment of dual-fuel container tonnage to comply with tightening international environmental mandates:

  • FuelEU Maritime & IMO Carbon Compliance: With the European Union enforcing strict well-to-wake greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity limits on ships calling at continental berths, international liner operators rely on verified bio-methane and LNG bunkering to avoid financial penalties. The Fujairah station provides certified digital Proof of Sustainability (PoS) documentation under the ISCC-EU scheme directly to calling vessels.

  • Protecting Regional Energy Outflows: Liquid bulk carriers and product tankers loading at Fujairah's extensive terminal tank farms or discharging via the Habshan–Fujairah crude pipeline can replenish clean propulsion fuel at the outer anchorage before beginning long-haul voyages toward Europe or the Asia-Pacific.

  • Shielding Fleet Operators from Hull Premiums: By offering deepwater STS bunkering on the Indian Ocean seaboard, ADNOC L&S and AD Ports provide charterers with a way to fuel without exposing hulls to the volatile insurance premiums and traffic bottlenecks associated with inner-Gulf navigation.

Digital Bunkering and Mass-Flow Metering (MFM)

To ensure complete transparency and eliminate quantity disputes, all bunker transfers from the Fujairah floating hub are metered using Coriolis Mass Flow Metering (MFM) systems, certified by international classification societies.

The station is integrated into AD Ports Group’s single-window Advanced Trade & Logistics Platform (ATLP). The system generates automated, tamper-evident Electronic Bunker Delivery Notes (e-BDN) that record fuel density, cryogenic temperature, and mass volume in real time, delivering verified documentation to vessel operators and port control authorities before the bunker hose disconnects.

Leadership and Executive Commentary

Speaking on the commissioning, Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, Chief Executive Officer of ADNOC Logistics & Services, noted:

"The commissioning of our dedicated offshore LNG bunkering station at Fujairah marks an operational step forward for ADNOC L&S and the UAE’s broader maritime logistics ambitions. As global fleet operators transition toward cleaner propulsion systems, having reliable, high-speed access to alternative fuels outside sensitive maritime chokepoints is essential for maintaining supply chain fluidity.

By combining ADNOC's energy infrastructure with AD Ports Group’s maritime management expertise, we are delivering an offshore refueling asset that provides global shipowners with verified, low-emission fuels, high-velocity turnaround speeds, and absolute route security along one of the world's most critical shipping crossroads."

Senior port coordinators confirmed that following the successful commissioning transfer to a 15,000-TEU container vessel, the offshore LNG bunkering station is fully operational, with scheduled commercial bookings open for long-haul carriers and tanker pools transiting the Gulf of Oman.