Pakistan completes first marine bunkering operation at Gwadar Port

Pakistan has completed its first marine bunkering operation at Gwadar Port. Vitol supplied 2,500 metric tons of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil to the vessel LNG ENUGU, in a joint effort with Cnergyico PK Limited and the National Logistics Corporation. The operation extends Pakistan's fuel supply network beyond Karachi and Port Qasim.

What is marine bunkering?

Marine bunkering is the supply of fuel to ships, a standard service at major international ports. Pakistan has historically had limited capacity to fuel international vessels, pushing many ships toward regional bunkering hubs instead. The Gwadar operation adds a new domestic option for that fuel supply.

How was the Gwadar Port bunkering operation carried out?

Vitol's bunkering barge Marine Ista fueled the LNG ENUGU in collaboration with the National Logistics Corporation. The fuel itself was Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil produced at the Cnergyico PK Limited refinery. It marks the first time a vessel has been bunkered at Gwadar Port specifically.

The operation also builds on an existing partnership between Vitol and Cnergyico, which has played a leading role in developing Pakistan's domestic bunkering market more broadly.

What did Cnergyico say about the milestone?

Usama Qureshi, vice chairman of Cnergyico PK Limited, said the company has produced International Maritime Organization-compliant VLSFO for marine bunkering over the past 10 months. He said the partnership with Vitol has helped build a reliable marine fuel supply chain for international shipping.

Cnergyico

Qureshi said bunkering availability at Gwadar strengthens Pakistan's competitiveness as a regional maritime services provider. He added that it shows the country's growing capability to support global shipping with internationally compliant marine fuels.

Why does bunkering at Gwadar matter for Pakistan?

The companies said the operation demonstrates Pakistan's growing ability to support international shipping with reliable fuel supplies. They said it also strengthens the country's position in regional maritime logistics more broadly.

Gwadar's location near major international shipping lanes could make it a competitive alternative bunkering destination for ocean-going vessels, the companies said. That potential grows as geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt regional maritime trade routes.

Who supported the Gwadar Port bunkering operation?

Qureshi credited the National Logistics Corporation, the Prime Minister's Maritime Task Force, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and port authorities for helping achieve the milestone. Vitol, Cnergyico and NLC separately acknowledged support from the Prime Minister's Maritime Task Force, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Federal Board of Revenue and the Gwadar Port Authority.

The companies said the successful bunkering is expected to expand marine services at Gwadar Port. They said it should strengthen Pakistan's maritime infrastructure as the country works to grow its role in regional trade and shipping.