Karachi Port completes Pakistan's first 1,500-tonne VLSFO bunkering operation

KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has facilitated Pakistan's first-ever delivery of 1,500 metric tonnes of IMO-compliant Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO 0.5%), marking a new development in the country's maritime fuel supply operations.

According to information released by KPT, the fuel supplied conformed to the ISO 8217:2017 specification and was delivered to a Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) vessel through Vitol's international-standard bunker barge, Marine ISTA.

KPT said the operation was conducted at an oil terminal during nighttime, allowing bunkering activities to take place while maintaining port operations and vessel schedules.

The port authority stated that the successful bunkering operation supports compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations requiring vessels to use low-sulphur fuel and represents a step towards strengthening maritime energy security.

According to KPT, the VLSFO supplied during the operation was produced locally, supporting domestic fuel production and maritime sector requirements.

The authority said the bunkering exercise was completed at a KPT oil berth and is expected to improve operational efficiency for the national carrier while expanding marine fuel services at Pakistani ports.

KPT further announced that VLSFO supplies will also be provided to two additional PNSC vessels in the coming days.