Singapore | February 9, 2026 – In a move that cements Pakistan’s transformation into a comprehensive regional energy hub, Vitol Bunkers has officially launched the country’s first High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) bunkering service since the “IMO 2020” era began.
Just three months after making headlines with the nation’s largest-ever delivery of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Vitol is completing the fuel triad. Vessels calling at Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and Karachi Anchorage now have access to a full suite of marine fuels: VLSFO, LSMGO, and the newly added HSFO.
A Market Resupply
Since the International Maritime Organization’s 0.50% sulphur cap took effect in 2020, HSFO, the traditional workhorse of the shipping industry, effectively vanished from from Pakistani waters. This left vessel equipped with Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (scrubbers) forced to look toward Fujairah or Singapore for supply.
By reintroducing HSFO this week, Vitol is capturing a vital segment of the global fleet. Despite the shift toward cleaner fuels, a significant portion of world-class tonnage, including many of the ultra-large container ships operated by the likes of MSC, rely on scrubbers to burn HSFO while meeting environmental standards.
Infrastructure in Action: The Role of Marine Ista
Central to this expansion is the Marine Ista, the 8,722 DWT Singapore-flagged bunker barge that revolutionized the local market last November.
- Operational Efficiency: Utilizing the Marine Ista’s high-capacity cargo segregation, Vitol can now provide multi-grade deliveries in a single stem.
- Volume Capacity: With a delivery capacity of 6,800 MT, the vessel ensures that even the largest bulkers and tankers can “bunker and go” without the delays associated with the truck-to-ship transfers of the past.
Why This Matters for the Region
For years, Pakistan was seen as a transit point rather than a destination for bunkering. The availability of HSFO, coupled with the local refining partnership with Cnergyico Pk Limited, changes the calculus for shipowners.
“Following the successful launch of VLSFO and LSMGO, the addition of HSFO further strengthens the range of marine fuel options now available locally,” Vitol stated in their announcement.
By offering the full “bunker menu,” Pakistan reduces the “fuel premium” shipowners face when deviating to other ports. This not only increases port revenue but also integrates the Karachi-Qasim corridor more deeply into the East-West trade routes.
About Vitol
Vitol is a leader in the world of energy and commodities. Vitol produces, manages, and delivers energy and commodities, including metals, to consumers and industry worldwide. In addition to its primary business, trading, Vitol is invested in infrastructure globally, with over $13 billion invested in long-term assets.
Vitol’s customers include national oil companies, multinationals, leading industrial companies, and utilities. Founded in Rotterdam in 1966, today Vitol serves its customers from some 40 offices worldwide. Revenues in 2024 were over $330 billion.
Vitol Bunkers
Vitol Bunkers has a long-established network of operations across all major shipping and trading locations through which it offers a reliable supply of marine fuels to ship and fleet owners around the world. Their expanding network includes operations across Asia, specifically targeting vessels visiting Karachi Anchorage, Karachi Port, and Port Qasim in Pakistan.
Source: Vitol