KARACHI: Pakistan’s maritime sector has achieved a historic milestone with the commencement of fast-expanding marine bunkering services through the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), spearheaded by Vitol, the world’s largest independent energy trader.
According to the KPT, the initiative marks a significant leap in the country’s maritime capabilities, introducing international-standard bunker barges fully compliant with global maritime assurance requirements and establishing a transparent, structured bunker licensing regime.
Vitol has launched operations aligned with best global standards and practices, signaling strong global market confidence in Pakistan’s shipping industry.
The company targets an annual supply of 500,000 to 600,000 metric tons of marine fuel across Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and outer anchorage areas. The service portfolio includes High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO), Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), and Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO), ensuring that all visiting vessels have access to a comprehensive range of fuels.
A key operational breakthrough in this expansion is the implementation of direct barge loading from the Keamari Oil Terminals. This development effectively eliminates the need for trucking, enabling large-scale deliveries and significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
The move is expected to improve port efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround times, and strengthen the overall trade competitiveness of the country.
The economic implications of this development are substantial. Industry projections suggest that 40 to 50 percent of domestic refineries’ fuel oil output will now be utilized as bunker fuel.
This shift is anticipated to stimulate industrial and economic growth while enhancing energy security for the nation’s maritime sector. By establishing bunkering as a core maritime service, the initiative is set to support competitive imports and exports, positioning Pakistan’s seaports as emerging hubs within the Blue Economy.
Looking ahead, the project outlines an ambitious roadmap for 2026. Plans are underway to develop berths and associated infrastructure capable of facilitating 70 to 100 bunker operations per month. Furthermore, Vitol intends to deploy additional state-of-the-art vessels to launch bio-bunker deliveries by the second quarter of 2026, ensuring Pakistan remains aligned with the evolving environmental standards of the global shipping industry.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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