Pakistan’s maritime sector achieved a significant milestone as Vitol successfully completed the first-ever marine bunkering operation at Gwadar Port, supplying 2,500 metric tons of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) to the vessel LNG ENUGU.
Cnergyico PK Limited Vice Chairman Usama Qureshi said that Cnergyico has been consistently producing IMO-compliant VLSFO for marine bunkering over the past 10 months, and the collaboration with Vitol has helped establish a reliable marine fuel supply chain for international shipping.
The fuel was produced at the Cnergyico PK Limited refinery, while the operation was carried out by Vitol’s bunkering barge Marine Ista in collaboration with the National Logistics Corporation (NLC).
“The availability of bunkering at Gwadar enhances Pakistan’s competitiveness as a regional maritime services provider and demonstrates the country’s growing capability to support global shipping with internationally compliant marine fuels,” he said. Support from NLC, P.M. Task Force on Maritime, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and all port authorities support has been instrumental in achieving this milestone, he added.
The operation marks the first time a vessel has been bunkered at Gwadar Port, extending Pakistan’s marine fuel supply capability beyond Karachi and Port Qasim. It also represents another milestone in the partnership between Vitol and Cnergyico, which has played a leading role in developing Pakistan’s domestic bunkering market.
Marine bunkering—the supply of fuel to ships—is a critical service at major international ports. Until recently, Pakistan had limited capability to provide marine fuel to international vessels, with many ships relying on regional bunkering hubs. The Vitol-Cnergyico partnership has helped establish a modern bunkering ecosystem in the country, enabling Pakistan to offer internationally compliant marine fuel services at its key ports.
The companies said the successful operation at Gwadar demonstrates Pakistan’s growing capability to support international shipping with reliable marine fuel supplies and strengthens the country’s position in regional maritime logistics.
Gwadar’s strategic location near major international shipping lanes also presents the port as a credible alternative bunkering destination for ocean-going vessels, particularly at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions affecting regional maritime trade routes.
Vitol, Cnergyico and NLC acknowledged the support of the Prime Minister’s Maritime Task Force, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Gwadar Port Authority, whose facilitation helped make the landmark operation possible.
The successful bunkering operation is expected to enhance the range of marine services available at Gwadar Port and further strengthen Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure as the country seeks to expand its role in regional trade and shipping.