Managing port call costs at the Port of Fujairah (AEFJR)—the world’s second-largest bunkering hub and the primary crude and refined products gateway outside the Strait of Hormuz—requires precise knowledge of local marine tariffs, structural billing mechanics, and operational nuances.
For shipowners, charterers, fleet directors, and marine managers, a Port Disbursement Account (PDA) from Fujairah can represent a significant operational expenditure. Misinterpreting the Port of Fujairah (POF) Tariff Book or miscalculating Gross Tonnage (GT) bands can quickly lead to budget overruns, unrecoverable demurrage, or unexpected cash-flow strain.
This guide provides a commercial and technical breakdown of Fujairah Port charges. It covers Fujairah Oil Tanker Terminals (FOTT) tariffs, marine service fees, anchorage charges, and Proforma Disbursement Account (PDA) modeling.
Executive Summary: Key Commercial Metrics & Port Charge Structure
PORT OF FUJAIRAH CALL TYPES
│
┌───────────────────────┴───────────────────────┐
▼ ▼
BERTHED / INNER PORT CALL OFF-PORT-LIMITS (OPL) CALL
(FOTT, Dry Bulk, Container, Berths) (Outer Anchorage / Bunkering)
│ │
├── Port / Tonnage Dues (GT-Banded) ├── Port / Tonnage Dues (Banded)
├── Pilotage In / Out ($0.18/GT + Night Surcharge)├── Anchorage Fee ($350/day base)
├── Tug Assistance (Per HP/Hour) ├── Agency Supervision Fee
├── Mooring & Unmooring ├── Port Health / Immigration
├── Cargo Dues / Wharfage └── Security / ISPS Charges
└── ISPS Security Charges
- Dual-Tariff Structure: Charges are jointly governed and administered by the Port of Fujairah Authority and Fujairah Oil Tanker Terminals (FOTT).
- GT-Banded Tonnage Dues: Unlike ports that utilize linear per-GT calculations (e.g., Singapore), Fujairah applies a stepped Gross Tonnage (GT) bracket model for port dues. Crossing into a higher GT threshold by even a small margin shifts the vessel into a higher pricing tier.
- OPL vs. Berthed Calls: Approximately 70% of calls at Fujairah occur Off-Port-Limits (OPL) or at outer anchorage for bunkering, crew change, or provisions. OPL calls bypass pilotage, towage, mooring, and wharfage dues, but remain subject to port tonnage dues, anchorage levies, agency fees, and security surcharges.
- Night and Holiday Surcharges: Marine services (pilotage, tugs, launch hires) performed between 19:00 and 06:00, or on UAE public holidays, incur mandatory surcharges ranging from 25% to 50% above base tariff rates.
- Currency Base: Charges are denominated in United Arab Emirates Dirhams (AED), pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of 1 USD = 3.6725 AED. Most commercial agents issue PDAs directly in USD to eliminate foreign exchange risk for international vessel accounts.
Breakdown of Fujairah Port Marine Tariffs & Charges
Port charges at Fujairah fall into two primary categories: Statutory Marine Dues (payable to the Port Authority) and Commercial Operational Services (stevedoring, agency, launch hire, bunkering coordination).
1. Port and Tonnage Dues
Port dues cover the right to navigate port waters and utilize port infrastructure. Fujairah applies a banded scale based on the vessel’s Gross Tonnage (GT) as declared on her International Tonnage Certificate (ITC-69).
| Vessel Tonnage Band (GT) | Representative Vessel Type | Estimated Base Port Dues (USD Equivalent) | Key Commercial Notes |
| Up to 10,000 GT | Coastal Tankers / Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs) | $1,500 – $2,800 | Lower threshold for localized offshore trade. |
| 10,001 – 30,000 GT | Handysize / Handymax Bulk & Chemical Carriers | $3,200 – $5,500 | Standard rate applied per entry call. |
| 30,001 – 80,000 GT | Panamax / Aframax / LR2 Tankers | $6,000 – $8,500 | Suezmax lower bound sits at the top of this tier. |
| 80,001 – 150,000 GT | Suezmax / Capesize Bulk Vessels | $11,000 – $13,500 | Fixed band rate regardless of exact GT. |
| Above 150,000 GT | VLCC / ULCC Energy Carriers | $15,000 – $19,000+ | Tiered rate with custom evaluation for mega-tankers. |
Note: Figures above reflect general tariff bands administered under official Port of Fujairah schedules. Actual charges are calculated strictly on official tonnage filings.
2. Pilotage, Towage, and Mooring Fees
For vessels entering the inner port, berthing at FOTT liquid bulk jetties, or accessing the general cargo and dry bulk berths, pilotage and tug assistance are compulsory.
- Pilotage: Charged per operation (inbound, outbound, shifting) based on GT. Base pilotage typically starts at ~$0.18 per GT per movement, subject to minimum thresholds for smaller craft. Operations between 19:00 and 06:00 incur a standard 25% night surcharge.
- Towage: Tug requirements are set by the Harbour Master based on vessel GT, draft, and berth location. Tug hire is billed per tug, per hour (or fraction thereof), with rates scaling according to the tug’s Horsepower (HP) or Bollard Pull (BP).
- Mooring & Unmooring: A fixed fee per operational call covers line-handling crews and mooring launch assistance at inner jetties.
BERTHED CALL PILOTAGE COST CALCULATION
==========================================================================
Base Pilotage Fee = Vessel Gross Tonnage (GT) x $0.18 USD (Per Operation)
Night / Holiday Surcharge = Base Pilotage Fee x 25% (If 19:00 – 06:00)
Total Pilotage = (Inbound Base + Inbound Surcharge) +
(Outbound Base + Outbound Surcharge)
==========================================================================
3. Anchorage Charges (Inner & Outer Anchorage)
The Fujairah Anchorage is divided into specific operational zones: Matrix Anchorage, Bunker Anchorage, Outer Anchorage (OPL), and Waiting Area.
- Free Freetime Allowance: Most standard calls receive a nominal freetime window (typically 24 hours for bunkering/provisions) depending on the purpose of the call declared on arrival.
- Daily Anchorage Rates: Beyond free time, anchorage fees accrue on a daily basis (per 24-hour period or part thereof). Standard OPL anchorage fees generally range between $300 and $450 USD per day for standard commercial ocean-going tonnage.
- Long-Term Lay-Up and STS Zones: Vessels remaining at anchorage for extended repair, lay-up, or Ship-to-Ship (STS) cargo transfers must receive prior approval from the Harbour Master. These operations are subject to specialized daily levies and mandatory marine environmental oversight fees.
4. Port Health, Immigration, Customs, and Security (ISPS)
- ISPS Charge: A mandatory International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) fee is charged per vessel call to cover port security and surveillance infrastructure.
- Customs Clearance & Documentation: Covers inward/outward clearance, light dues certificates, and manifest processing.
- Immigration & Health Clearance: Fixed levies for processing crew changes, shore passes, and port health inspections.
Proforma Disbursement Account (PDA) Modeling
To avoid cash flow delays or underfunding, shipowners should evaluate a realistic Proforma Disbursement Account before fixing a vessel for a Fujairah call. Below are two representative models showing cost distributions for typical operational scenarios.
Scenario A: Suezmax Tanker (approx. 80,000 GT) – OPL Bunkering Call
Vessel calls at Fujairah Outer Anchorage exclusively for 3000 MT VLSFO bunkering and crew change over a 48-hour period.
| Line Item | Scope of Charge | Estimated Amount (USD) |
| Port / Tonnage Dues | Banded Tonnage Fee (80,000 – 150,000 GT) | $12,500 |
| OPL Anchorage Fee | 2 Days @ ~$350/day | $700 |
| Port Security (ISPS) | Flat per-call statutory security charge | $320 |
| Immigration & Health | Inward/Outward Crew Clearance | $400 |
| Agency Fee | Local Agent Supervision & Coordination | $2,200 |
| Launch Hire (2 trips) | Crew transportation / stores delivery to anchorage | $1,200 |
| Estimated Total PDA | Non-Berthed OPL Bunker Call | ~$17,320 |
Scenario B: Aframax Tanker (approx. 60,000 GT) – Berthed Call at FOTT Jetty
Vessel berths at Fujairah Oil Tanker Terminal for a 36-hour discharge operation requiring pilotage, tugs, and mooring crews.
| Line Item | Scope of Charge | Estimated Amount (USD) |
| Port / Tonnage Dues | Banded Tonnage Fee (30,001 – 80,000 GT) | $7,800 |
| Pilotage In & Out | $0.18/GT x 60,000 GT x 2 movements + 25% night | $13,500 |
| Towage Assistance | 2 Tugs In / 2 Tugs Out (2 hours per movement) | $16,000 |
| Mooring / Unmooring | Berth line handling crews and launch support | $1,800 |
| Wharfage / Terminal Dues | FOTT jetty infrastructure access levy | $8,500 |
| ISPS Security & Clearance | Port health, customs, and security fees | $800 |
| Agency Fee | Berthed operation management and dispatch | $3,800 |
| Estimated Total PDA | Berthed FOTT Liquid Bulk Discharge | ~$52,200 |
Disclaimer: The above calculations are illustrative models based on standard port tariff structure frameworks. Final PDAs are subject to exact vessel GT, actual hours alongside, tug utilization, berth assignment, and official Port Authority updates.
3 Ways to Lower Port Costs in Fujairah
- Verify Vessel Size Records (ITC-69 Tonnage)
Make sure your port agent submits your vessel’s exact Gross Tonnage (GT). Fujairah charges fees in price brackets rather than a flat rate. If your vessel sits near a cost threshold, ensure any deductible spaces (like segregated ballast tanks) are properly documented so you don’t accidentally fall into a higher, more expensive pricing tier.
- Time Your Port Visits to Avoid Extra Fees
Schedule berthing and unberthing during standard daytime working hours. Avoid moving the ship at night (between 19:00 and 06:00) or on UAE public holidays, as these times trigger mandatory night and holiday surcharges that can add up to 25% to your pilot and tugboat fees.
- Combine Tasks in One Anchorage Visit
Schedule multiple operations at the same time—such as refueling (bunkering), crew swaps, taking on supplies, and hull inspections. Doing everything in a single window avoids paying for extra anchorage days and reduces launch boat trip charges.
Oitha Marine Support Services
Managing port disbursements, bunker logistics, charter party arrangements, and vessel calls across Middle Eastern and global hubs requires local expertise and reliable partner networks.
Oitha Marine supports shipowners, charterers, and operators with comprehensive marine services, including:
- Ship Agency & Husbandry Representation: Complete port agency oversight, accurate PDA calculations, and cost auditing at major bunkering and trade hubs.
- Ship Chartering & Brokerage: Specialized commercial brokerage connecting charterers and vessel owners across liquid bulk, dry cargo, and offshore segments.
- Bunker Coordination & Logistics: Strategic support for marine fuel procurement, OPL bunkering schedules, and compliance management.
- Offshore Support & Marine Logistics: Provisioning, launch services, crew changes, and technical supply chain management.
Contact Oitha Marine today to request a customized Proforma Disbursement Account or discuss chartering and marine logistics solutions for your fleet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main port charges incurred during a vessel call at Fujairah?
The primary port charges include Port and Tonnage Dues, Anchorage Fees, Pilotage (inbound/outbound/shifting), Towage (tug assistance), Mooring/Unmooring line handling, ISPS Security Fees, Immigration/Customs Clearance, and local Port Agency Fees. Berthed calls at FOTT also incur terminal access and wharfage charges.
How are port dues calculated at the Port of Fujairah?
Port dues at Fujairah are calculated using a Gross Tonnage (GT) banded scale rather than a strict linear per-GT rate. Vessels fall into defined GT tiers (e.g., 30,001–80,000 GT, 80,001–150,000 GT), with a flat base fee applied according to the vessel’s bracket.
What is the difference in port charges between an OPL call and a berthed call at Fujairah?
An Off-Port-Limits (OPL) call at outer anchorage incurs port tonnage dues, anchorage levies, security fees, and agency fees, but avoids pilotage, towage, mooring, and berth wharfage dues. A berthed call at FOTT or general cargo berths incurs full marine service charges, including pilotage, tugs, mooring, and berth utilization fees.
How does the Port of Fujairah calculate anchorage fees?
Anchorage fees accrue after any applicable free-time allowance expires. Charges are billed per 24-hour period (or fraction thereof) based on vessel GT and anchorage zone (Inner Anchorage, Outer Anchorage/OPL, or STS zone).
Are there night or holiday surcharges for marine services at Fujairah?
Yes. Pilotage, tug operations, and line-handling services conducted between 19:00 and 06:00 local time, or on official UAE public holidays, incur standard surcharges—typically a 25% premium above normal tariff rates.
What currency is used for Fujairah Port disbursement accounts?
Port tariffs are officially established in UAE Dirhams (AED). However, because the AED is pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of 3.6725, port agents typically issue Proforma Disbursement Accounts (PDAs) and final invoices directly in USD for foreign shipowners.
Who pays port charges in a time charter vs. voyage charter scenario?
Under a standard Time Charter (NBO / BIMCO terms), the charterer pays port dues, pilotage, towage, berth charges, and bunker-related port fees, while the shipowner pays husbandry costs, crew expenses, and vessel maintenance. Under a Voyage Charter, the shipowner pays for port disbursements unless specific cargo handling expenses are explicitly allocated to the charterer under custom charter party terms (e.g., Free In/Out).
What documentation is required prior to vessel arrival at Fujairah Port?
Vessels must submit a Pre-Arrival Notice (PAN) via their local port agent along with the Certificate of Registry, International Tonnage Certificate (ITC-69), Cargo Manifest, Crew List, ISPS Pre-Arrival Information, Last Port Clearance, and valid P&I / War Risk Cover certificates.
Planning a port call, bunkering operation, or chartering movement at the Port of Fujairah?
Contact Oitha Marine today for accurate Proforma Disbursement Accounts, local agency representation, and comprehensive vessel support services.
Email: operations@oithamarine.com | Web: www.oithamarine.com
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