By SKM
July 12, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday (July 11) entered the global marine bunkering market after Gwadar Port successfully carried out its first-ever refuelling of a foreign vessel with locally refined marine fuel, a development expected to strengthen the country’s maritime economy and open a new source of foreign exchange earnings.
The inaugural bunkering operation was conducted by the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) in collaboration with global energy trader Vitol, during which 2,500 metric tonnes of International Maritime Organization (IMO)-compliant Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), refined by Cnergyico PK Limited, was supplied to the UAE-owned LNG carrier ENUGU at Gwadar Port.
The operation marks Pakistan’s first commercial supply of internationally compliant marine fuel to a foreign vessel and is being seen as a significant step towards positioning Gwadar as a regional bunkering, shipping and logistics hub.
Officials said the successful operation demonstrated Pakistan’s ability to produce marine fuel meeting stringent IMO environmental specifications and provide internationally certified bunkering services to global shipping companies.
“This is the beginning of international bunkering operations from Gwadar and an important milestone for Pakistan’s maritime and energy sectors,” an official familiar with the development said.
The operation also represents the first international commercial use of marine fuel refined domestically by Cnergyico, highlighting the country’s growing refining capability and its ability to meet international quality standards for the shipping industry.
Industry officials said the availability of locally produced IMO-compliant VLSFO would reduce dependence on imported bunker fuel while creating a new market for Pakistan’s refining sector through value-added petroleum products.
Gwadar’s location near the main east-west shipping corridor linking the Gulf, Africa and South Asia provides the port with a natural advantage for bunkering operations. Maritime experts believe international vessels operating in the Arabian Sea could increasingly use Gwadar for refuelling as port facilities and fuel supply infrastructure continue to expand.
They said successful bunkering operations generate revenues far beyond fuel sales by creating demand for pilotage, tug services, berthing, ship chandelling, freshwater supply, waste disposal, maintenance and other marine services, besides generating employment across the port and logistics sectors.
The partnership between NLC and Vitol is also being viewed as a significant development, bringing together Pakistan’s operational capabilities and one of the world’s leading independent energy trading companies to demonstrate that local operators can meet international technical and commercial standards.
Officials said the successful operation would encourage more shipping companies to consider Gwadar as a refuelling destination while enhancing the commercial viability of the deep-sea port.
The development comes as Pakistan is pursuing plans to transform Gwadar into a regional maritime, logistics and energy hub under its broader strategy to expand port-based economic activity and attract greater international shipping traffic.
Industry stakeholders expressed confidence that regular bunkering operations would now follow, enabling Gwadar to compete with established regional ports for marine fuel business and supporting Pakistan’s ambition to become an important player in the international bunkering market.
The successful refuelling of the ENUGU is expected to strengthen Gwadar’s commercial profile, boost utilisation of domestic refining capacity and contribute to higher port revenues, increased maritime trade and foreign exchange earnings. Ends
