Summary：**Gwadar Port carries out intl bunkering operation - Business Recorder****Introduction** Pakistan’s

**Gwadar Port carries out intl bunkering operation - Business Recorder**

**Introduction**
Pakistan’s strategic deep‑sea hub marked a milestone on Wednesday when Gwadar Port successfully completed its first international bunkering operation. The move, which saw a foreign‑flagged vessel receive marine fuel while docked at the port’s newly upgraded liquid cargo berth, signals a shift from the facility’s traditional role as a transshipment point toward becoming a full‑service maritime logistics centre. Industry observers say the event could catalyse further investment in the port’s ancillary services and strengthen Pakistan’s position in the Indian Ocean bunkering market.

**Key Developments**
The bunkering service was conducted by a joint venture between the Port Authority of Gwadar and a regional energy trader, utilizing a bunker barge equipped with ISO‑certified fuel tanks. Approximately 1,200 metric tonnes of very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) were transferred to the MV *Oceanic Trader*, a Panama‑registered bulk carrier en route to the Gulf of Aden. Safety checks, including vapor recovery systems and real‑time emission monitoring, were overseen by the port’s marine safety division, which reported zero incidents during the transfer. Officials noted that the operation adhered to MARPOL Annex VI standards and was completed within a four‑hour window, well below the average turnaround time for comparable bunkering stops in Colombo and Singapore.

**Industry Analysis**
Analysts view the successful bunkering as a tangible outcome of Gwadar’s ongoing infrastructure upgrades, which include deeper draft berths, expanded storage facilities, and a dedicated pipeline network linking the port to the nearby refinery at Karachi. By offering competitive bunkering rates—reportedly 5‑7% lower than regional rivals—the port aims to attract shipping lines seeking cost