Karachi Port launches Pakistan’s first standardised bunkering operations

In a key development on the maritime front, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday announced the launch of standardised bunkering operations at Karachi Port for the first time in Pakistan’s history.

“The move brings Pakistan’s largest port in line with global maritime safety and operational standards, a step long viewed as essential for improving the country’s standing in the regional shipping market”, the federal minister said, read an official statement.

Bunkering is the fueling of ships for propulsion and onboard use, involving the storage, transfer, and management of marine fuels like oil and gas. Proper bunkering ensures safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant refuelling, enabling smooth maritime transport and global shipping operations.

Chaudhry said the initiative is launched on the instructions of the prime minister, who has called for accelerated modernisation of port services and a broader upgrade of Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure.

He said the introduction of regulated bunkering would remove a long-standing gap in Karachi Port’s service offering, enabling it to compete more effectively with established bunkering hubs in the region and the wider area.

The minister said the availability of safe, reliable and efficiently managed bunkering facilities is expected to draw more international shipping lines to Karachi, particularly operators seeking streamlined port calls and predictable service standards.

He said increased vessel traffic would translate into higher foreign-exchange earnings through port fees, marine services, and ancillary commercial activity such as repairs, supplies and maritime logistics. The expected increase in port operations is also projected to stimulate employment across multiple layers of the maritime economy.

He said compliance with international standards covering fuel quality, safety procedures, documentation and transparency was essential for building confidence among ship owners and international trading companies.

The minister said the first phase of operations would begin in collaboration with one of the world’s leading energy trading houses, which will conduct bunkering at Karachi Port using internationally certified practices.

He said the venture is expected to expand as domestic refineries supply larger quantities of refined fuel meeting global specifications, a development he described as a direct benefit to the national exchequer.

Chaudhry noted that Karachi Port Trust had assessed existing bunkering practices, reviewed global procedures, drafted new documentation and engaged stakeholders to bring the service online.