Vitol Expands HSFO Bunkering Services in Pakistan | Mariner News
Global energy leader Vitol has significantly expanded its marine fuel supply in Pakistan by reintroducing HSFO bunkering services. This strategic move marks the first availability of High-Sulfur Fuel Oil for vessels in Pakistani waters since 2020, offering a crucial additional option for ship operators. Vitol already provides Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and Low Sulfur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO), solidifying its role as a key bunker supplier for the region’s shipping industry.
HSFO Reinstatement for Maritime Operations
The return of HSFO bunkering in Pakistan by Vitol primarily caters to vessels equipped with exhaust gas scrubbers. This reintroduction provides renewed choice and potential cost efficiencies for the maritime sector, following the IMO’s global 0.5% sulfur cap implementation in 2020, which had previously ceased HSFO sales.
Vitol’s comprehensive bunkering portfolio now serves major Pakistani ports, including Karachi Anchorage, Karachi Port, and Port Qasim. Services are efficiently delivered using its dedicated 8,670-dwt bunker barge, the Marine Ista. This ensures diverse fuel options are available, meeting the varied demands of international shipping fleets accessing these trade hubs.
Bolstering Pakistan’s Fuel Infrastructure
This expansion builds on Vitol’s prior successes, such as delivering Pakistan’s largest locally produced VLSFO stem. That fuel originated from Pakistan’s Cnergyico refinery, a key partnership for regional energy supply. Vitol’s sustained investment in diverse fuel solutions further strengthens Pakistan’s role in the global bunker market, offering enhanced fuel services for all vessel types.
