Commercial bunkering will boost maritime traffic and Pakistan’s regional shipping ambitions
Gwadar Port is set to position itself as a strategic alternative refuelling hub for global shipping after Dutch energy trader Vitol began supplying marine fuel at the deep-sea facility, with up to 30 bunker deliveries expected in the coming weeks.
The development marks a significant shift in regional maritime dynamics, where bunkering — the supply of fuel to commercial vessels — has traditionally been dominated by ports such as Fujairah and Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates, according to Arab News.
Vitol Bunkers said in a statement on its website that it has now launched comprehensive commercial bunkering services at Gwadar, enabling vessels to access high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO), very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), and low-sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) at the port for the first time.
Read: Gwadar Port achieves milestone
The launch was followed by Gwadar’s first-ever commercial bunkering operation, in which the LNG carrier Enugu was supplied with 2,500 metric tons of VLSFO by Vitol’s barge Marine Ista earlier this week.
“We are pleased to supply our customers with a range of high-quality fuels from key locations in Pakistan,” said Ammar Hussaini, global strategic business manager at Vitol Bunkers. “Gwadar Port has benefited from significant investment, and we look forward to expanding our presence and serving customers across the region.”
The milestone operation was carried out in collaboration with Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation (NLC), using fuel produced domestically by Cnergyico PK Limited. Industry experts say this reflects Pakistan’s growing capacity to meet international marine fuel standards and signals the emergence of a domestic bunkering ecosystem.
Analysts view Gwadar’s entry into the bunkering market as particularly timely. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including recent US strikes on Iranian targets and threats to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, have prompted shipping companies to seek safer and more reliable refuelling alternatives.
“Customers are actively looking for credible options outside traditional hubs,” industry sources said, noting that Vitol aims to position Gwadar as a viable fallback in case of disruptions at established ports such as Fujairah.
Also Read: Gwadar Port completes first international bunkering operation
According to sources, Vitol has already secured future supply agreements with major clients and expects to complete between 20 and 30 deliveries within the first 45 to 50 days of operations. The company currently operates two bunkering barges at Gwadar and has the capacity to supply up to 50,000 tons of fuel per month.
With long-term contracts involving major global shipping players such as MSC, QatarEnergy LNG and CMA CGM, Vitol’s expansion into Gwadar could significantly boost maritime traffic at the port in the coming months.
Officials from Pakistan’s maritime ministry and the Gwadar Port Authority did not respond to requests for comment.
However, industry observers believe the successful launch positions Gwadar as a credible and competitive bunkering hub, offering a secure and efficient alternative for international shipping while unlocking new economic opportunities within Pakistan’s blue economy.
