Vitol Bunkers has launched a new commercial bunkering service at Gwadar Port on Pakistan’s Arabian Sea coast, according to Ship & Bunker. The company says this marks the first time HSFO, VLSFO, and low sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) have been made available to commercial vessels at the deepwater port.
The service launch follows what Ship & Bunker describes as the port’s first commercial bunkering operation, during which Vitol’s barge Marine Ista delivered 2,500 metric tonnes of VLSFO to the LNG carrier Enugu.
Expanding Pakistan’s Bunkering Map
Gwadar Port sits west of Pakistan’s more established bunkering hubs, according to Ship & Bunker. The country’s physical bunker supply market has traditionally been concentrated around Karachi and Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, where Orion Bunkers reportedly completed Pakistan’s largest single LSMGO delivery earlier this year, as noted in the same report.
Ammar Hussaini, global strategic business manager at Vitol Bunkers, said in a company announcement cited by Ship & Bunker that Gwadar Port “is a deepwater port which has benefited from significant investment.” Hussaini added that Vitol looks forward to “building our offering in this location and serving customers across the region.”
Does This Matter to You?
The addition of a new fuel supply point at Gwadar could be relevant for vessel operators and charterers planning routes along Pakistan’s Arabian Sea coastline, particularly those who previously relied solely on Karachi or Port Muhammad Bin Qasim for bunkering in the region. A deepwater port offering HSFO, VLSFO, and LSMGO may provide additional flexibility for voyage planning in this part of the Arabian Sea.
Bunker traders and fuel buyers monitoring supply availability in South Asia may also find this development noteworthy, given that Ship & Bunker describes this as a first-of-its-kind commercial operation at the port. Beyond these points, the source material does not detail further specifics on pricing, capacity, or long-term supply commitments at Gwadar, so the broader operational impact remains unclear at this stage.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
