Oman suspended crude oil loading operations at its key Mina al Fahal export terminal following an explosion near its offshore loading facilities, according to a Reuters report citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The explosion occurred between the terminal’s two single-buoy mooring berths, known as SBM 1 and SBM 2, which are used to load crude oil onto tankers.
The sources said the blast was believed to have been caused by a drone attack, although Omani authorities had not officially confirmed the cause as of Friday.
Shipping data reviewed by Reuters showed several supertankers anchored off the port on Friday, suggesting loading operations had been disrupted.
Mina al Fahal is Oman’s primary crude oil export terminal and one of the country’s most strategically important energy facilities.
Located on the coast near Muscat, the terminal serves as the main gateway for Omani crude exports to international markets. The terminal handles the majority of Oman’s oil exports, making it a critical component of the country’s economy and a key link in global energy supply chains.
Any disruption to operations at Mina al Fahal can have significant implications for Oman’s export capacity and is closely watched by regional and international energy markets.
