Karachi Port Launches Standardized Bunkering Operations
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has officially entered the global maritime bunkering market with the launch of its first standardized bunkering facility at Karachi Port. The facility aligns the country’s largest port with international maritime safety and operational standards. Bunkering, the process of supplying ships with fuel such as marine gas oil, heavy fuel oil, or alternative fuels like LNG, is a critical and tightly regulated operation. It involves transferring fuel from land-based facilities, tanker trucks, or bunker vessels directly to ships’ fuel tanks.
Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the initiative is part of a broader plan to modernize port services and upgrade Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure. “The introduction of regulated bunkering fills a long-standing gap in Karachi Port’s service offerings,” he noted. He added that the availability of safe and efficiently managed fuel supply facilities will help Karachi compete with established regional bunkering hubs and attract more international shipping lines seeking streamlined port calls and predictable services.
Previously, commercial ships in Pakistan had no local refueling options and had to source fuel from ports in Fujairah or Singapore. The new facility is being executed in collaboration with Vitol, a Swiss-based Dutch multinational energy and commodity trading company, using its bunkering barge. Additionally, Karachi-based Cnergyico refinery has begun producing world-class very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) for refueling ships.
Boosting Revenue, Maritime Trade, and International Visibility
Officials at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) highlighted that the facility will increase vessel traffic, boost port revenue, and improve foreign-exchange earnings through port fees, marine services, and ancillary commercial activities like repairs, supplies, and maritime logistics. Minister Chaudhry emphasized that adherence to global standards for fuel quality, safety, documentation, and transparency is essential to build confidence among international ship-owners and trading companies.
The first phase of bunkering operations will begin in collaboration with a leading energy trading company, following internationally certified procedures. The minister added that the service is expected to expand further as domestic refineries produce larger volumes of fuel meeting global specifications, benefiting Pakistan’s economy directly.
The initiative reinforces KPT’s ambition to operate as a leading regional hub and signals the government’s commitment to expanding port capabilities in line with international benchmarks. The milestone positions Pakistan as a competitive player in the global maritime and bunkering market.
