Jan. 24 (Bloomberg) -- The North Sea Sullom Voe terminal in the Shetland Islands, Scotland, which handles shipments of benchmark Brent crude, suspended berthing because of high winds, according to an update on the Shetland Islands Council Web Site at 4 a.m. today.

BP Plc, Europe's second-biggest oil company, operates Sullom Voe on behalf of a group of companies. The terminal handles oil from more than 20 fields in the North Sea, including Brent blend and Schiehallion crude, which is shipped by pipeline and shuttle tankers.

Berthing at Sullom Voe was stopped on at least two occasions this month because of high winds and waves. When oil tankers are empty they can be destabilized in gales, making it dangerous to dock.

To contact the reporter on this story: Alexander Kwiatkowski in London at akwiatkowsk2@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: January 24, 2008 03:31 EST