FOBAS alerts to longer transit times for bunker fuel samples in Middle East

Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Monday (2 March) released a bulletin regarding logistics disruption for bunker fuel samples in the Middle East: 

Due to the on-going escalations in the Middle East, many flights in and out of the region have been cancelled.

As a result, increased transit times for samples from and sample kits to the region should be anticipated. The situation is extremely fluid with information frequently being updated.

We remain in close contact with DHL, our main courier partner and will make our best efforts to forward samples as and when we can.

However, in the meantime, we will avoid sending sample kits to the region and delays in sample transit times from the affected countries should be anticipated.

Should your vessel be taking bunkers in countries that have been affected, we recommend that wherever possible, bunker samples are landed on arrival to the next country away from the affected area.

Countries that have been affected are United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

We will keep you updated as the situation changes and/or when more information becomes available.

Photo credit: Hans Reniers on Unsplash
Published: 3 March, 2026