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Bunker deliveries were affected in the United Arab Emirates over the weekend following the closure of the Jebel Ali export terminal in Dubai due to a sandstorm.

Officials at Jebel Ali port said the movement of ships in and out of Jebel Ali terminal was stopped at 6:30 am on Saturday due to poor visibility as vessels were enveloped by a blanket of dust which may take several days to completely clear.

The dust, which was created by a massive desert storm in Iraq has gradually spread to Iran, Qatar and the UAE. The sandstorm was so severe that it sent scores of people in the region to the doctor with complaints of eye and nose irritation.

According to Dubai ports, the authority in charge of operations at Jebel Ali Port and Port Rashid, shipping traffic resumed at about 2pm on Saturday, following stepped-up safety measures including additional tugs.

Elsewhere, Al Ruwais and Das Island ports were closed for at least two days, according to local sources. Delays were also reported at Mina Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi, even though shipping operations were not halted.

Operations at Ras Al Khaimah sea port were not affected, an official said.

Meanwhile, Qatar's three main export facilities also shut down over the weekend and reopened on Sunday.

In Saudi Arabia, oil exports and port oeprations were said to have continued as normal despite the poor visibility.