Oil operations affected at UAE’s Fujairah after fire from intercepted drone debris

The disruption occurred at a time of heightened tensions in the region and has drawn attention to the vulnerability of key energy infrastructure.

Updated on: Mar 14, 2026, 19:49:01 IST

Written by Shivya Kanojia

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Some oil-loading operations at United Arab Emirates’ Fujairah were suspended on Saturday after a drone-related incident triggered a fire, according to industry and trade sources.

Smoke rises in the Fujairah oil industry zone, caused by debris after interception of a drone by air defenses. (REUTERS)

Fujairah is one of the UAE’s most important energy hubs. Located outside the Strait of Hormuz, the emirate functions as a major bunkering centre and crude export terminal. It also serves as the outlet for roughly 1 million barrels per day of the UAE’s Murban crude oil, an amount equal to about 1% of global oil demand.

Also read| Drone strike near Dubai financial hub: What we know as UAE intercepts Iran threats

Authorities confirmed that a fire broke out after debris fell during the interception of a drone, news agency Reuters reported.

The emirate’s media office said there were no injuries reported, and civil defence teams were deployed to manage the situation and contain the fire.

While officials acknowledged the incident, they did not provide details about the suspension of oil-loading operations reported by industry and trade sources.

Escalating tensions in the region

The development came only hours after the United States targeted military facilities on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export terminal.

Also read| As Iran continues missile strikes, here's how Dubai, Abu Dhabi air defences are keeping citizens safe

The situation adds to growing concerns about the stability of energy supplies in the Gulf.

Earlier in the week, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned that the world is facing its largest-ever oil supply crisis. According to the agency, the crisis stems from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route along the Iranian coast. The disruption has followed airstrikes on Iran launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, which have already forced some producers, including the UAE, to cut oil output.

The Fujairah incident is the latest in a series of disruptions affecting the UAE’s energy facilities.

Earlier this week, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) shut down its Ruwais refinery after a fire broke out at a facility within the complex following a drone strike, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Limited clarity on operational impact

At this stage, the full effect of the Fujairah incident on oil shipments remains unclear.

ADNOC, which operates in the emirate, did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the situation.

Earlier, Bloomberg News reported that some oil-loading operations at Fujairah had been halted following the drone incident and fire.

(With inputs from Reuters and Bloomberg)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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