PORT LOUIS, April 11 – Mauritius is emerging as a critical refueling hub for global shipping, as vessels reroute away from the Middle East amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, Bloomberg News reported on Saturday, citing sources.
Bunkering activity at Port Louis Harbor surged sharply, with vessel calls rising 42% to 294 in March from 207 the previous month, according to the Mauritius Ports Authority. Fuel volumes loaded also increased significantly, climbing to over 109,000 tons from about 69,000 tons.
The shift reflects broader disruptions to global shipping patterns, as operators avoid high-risk routes and adapt to changing flows in oil, gas and other commodities. Elevated fuel prices and supply chain uncertainty have further reshaped where vessels choose to refuel.
Mauritius’ strategic location along key maritime routes between Asia and southern Africa has positioned it as a natural alternative stop. The country had already seen rising bunkering demand in recent years as ships diverted from the Red Sea due to security threats.
Fuel sales at Port Louis nearly doubled to around one million tons in 2025, underscoring the scale of shifting maritime traffic. Similar trends are being observed along alternative routes, including increased ship-to-ship bunkering activity near Port of Walvis Bay in Namibia.
Authorities say current infrastructure, including floating storage barges, has so far been sufficient to meet rising demand. However, officials warned that prolonged disruption in the Middle East could create supply constraints for bunker operators.
To address future demand, the ports authority has outlined plans to expand storage capacity under its long-term development strategy, positioning Mauritius to capitalise further on evolving global shipping dynamics.
