By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Pakistan is replenishing its fuel supplies with the arrival of diesel and petrol cargoes as the country grapples with global shortages triggered by conflict disrupting shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
A marine tanker, the Torm Damini, reached Pakistan on March 8 and has already discharged 37,000 tonnes of diesel at Port Qasim, the Port Qasim Authority said in a statement on Tuesday. Three additional vessels carrying petrol are scheduled to berth in the coming days, with a fourth expected shortly after.
The Nave Atropos, carrying 50,000 tonnes of petrol, is set to berth on Wednesday, with discharging expected to take around 30 hours. The Spruce 2, loaded with 55,000 tonnes of petrol, is scheduled for Thursday. A third petrol tanker, the Sea Clipper with 34,000 tonnes, will berth on March 13 or 14. Another vessel carrying petrol for state-owned Pakistan State Oil is due after March 16, the authority said.
The shipments come as Pakistan holds petrol and diesel stocks sufficient for about 25 days, a senior petroleum ministry official told local media. The imports will help ensure supplies don’t run dry, the official said. Consumers have begun conserving fuel following a sharp price increase earlier this month, which is also aiding stock levels.
The government raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 a liter each on March 6 in response to the economic fallout from the US-Israel conflict with Iran, which has paralyzed trade through the Strait of Hormuz — Pakistan’s primary route for oil imports.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the finance and petroleum ministers to collaborate with provincial governments on measures to conserve fuel and maintain uninterrupted supplies. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik had earlier indicated that three petroleum shipments would reach Pakistan by Monday.
Speaking Tuesday on a private television channel, Malik said the government has decided to absorb any potential future fluctuations in fuel prices to shield consumers, signaling no significant changes in the near term. “I think there will be no significant [increase] in this in reasonable time, as the government has decided to absorb them to prevent difficulties for the public,” he said.
Malik acknowledged the burden of the recent hike but stressed that authorities are ensuring steady availability of petroleum products nationwide. He described the situation as a prolonged “Test match,” noting the Middle East conflict shows no clear end, and urged the country to stretch reserves and secure supply lines. He pointed to comments by US President Donald Trump on the Iran situation and discussions at the G7 about possibly releasing strategic oil reserves as factors that could limit major price swings. “While nothing can be said for certain, it appears at this time that we will not see significant price changes,” Malik added.
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