Pakistan achieves milestone with first large-scale production of IMO-compliant Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil

KARACHI: Pakistan has successfully completed its first large-scale production and delivery of IMO-compliant Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) from the Karachi Port Trust Oil Pier, marking a significant achievement for the country’s energy and maritime industries. The milestone was achieved through the operation of Vitol’s Singapore-flagged bunker barge, Marine Ista, which has a Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) of 8,722MT.

This accomplishment is a key step forward in enabling the domestic production and supply of environmentally compliant marine fuels, which aligns with international maritime standards.

The success of this initiative was facilitated by the collaboration between the Prime Minister’s Maritime Task Force and various stakeholders from the Government of Pakistan. The introduction of VLSFO, a compliant fuel under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, will provide environmentally friendly fuel options to some of the world’s largest shipping companies. This move is expected to serve as a catalyst for the development of a blue economy in Pakistan.

Vitol, a global energy and commodities company, has expressed interest in further collaboration with Pakistan, particularly in the area of barge operations within the maritime sector, opening doors for future growth in the country’s maritime infrastructure.