4 fuel-laden ships reach Pakistan amid concerns about shortages, 3 yet to berth – Business

ISLAMABAD: Three ships carrying petrol have arrived in Pakistan, while one has already unloaded its cargo of diesel to replenish fuel reserves in the country amid global shortage, it was learned on Tuesday.

Three ships that have yet to unload their cargo are scheduled to dock in the coming days of this week.

According to a statement from the Port Qasim Authority (PQA), an ocean-going tanker, Torm Damini, arrived in Pakistan on March 8 and offloaded 37,000 tonnes of diesel.

Meanwhile, another tanker, Nave Atropos, carrying 50,000 tons of gasoline, arrived at Port Qasim and is scheduled to dock on Wednesday, the statement said.

The process is expected to take around 30 hours.

Another tanker, Spruce 2, carrying 55,000 tons of gasoline, is expected to dock on Thursday.

A fourth ship, the Sea Clipper, which will carry 34,000 tons of gasoline, will dock on March 13 or 14, according to the statement.

He added that another ship, bringing gasoline for state-owned Pakistan State Oil, is expected to arrive after March 16.

LPG loads

According to the PQA, four ships carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) also arrived.

The statement said that one vessel, the MD23, ​​had unloaded 3,500 tonnes of LPG, while the other two vessels were in the process of unloading their cargoes at the terminals.

Navigator Atlantic was unloading 12,000 tonnes of LPG at Engro Vopak Terminal Limited, brought from Oman at Engro Vopak Terminal Limited. Meanwhile, Navigator Aries was unloading 11,000 tonnes of LPG mixture from Iraq at the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) LPG terminal, he added.

The statement said a fourth ship, Ullswater, was outside the port area, waiting with 3,700 tonnes of LPG blend from Iraq, to ​​offload cargo at SSGC’s LPG terminal.

‘Gasoline and diesel stocks for 25 days’

A senior Petroleum Ministry official said Sunrise that the country had reserves of gasoline and diesel for 25 days.

“Importing gasoline and diesel will ensure that their supply does not run out,” the official said, adding that people have started saving fuel after the recent rise in oil prices, which also helps maintain stocks.

The decision to increase prices came when the country felt the economic impacts of the War between the United States and Israel against Iranwhat has paralyzed trade through the Strait of Hormuz – a route that Pakistan relies heavily on for its oil supplies.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the finance and oil ministers to work with the provincial governments on a strategy to conserve and ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products.

Subsequently, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik informed a briefing on Sunday that three oil shipments were expected to arrive in Pakistan on Monday.

speaking in Geographic news Speaking on ‘Capital Talk’ today, he said Saudi Arabia had been providing “immense” help to Pakistan in procuring fuel.

He said that with the help of the Saudi government, arrangements were made for the procurement of fuel through the Yanbu port.

The minister added that Saudi Arabia is also preparing ships. “They arranged a big ship and we are trying to get the [fuel] transferred to smaller vessels in Oman, but we cannot get insurance for that.”

He also said there were chances that there would not be any significant fluctuation in oil prices in the near future, but added that he could not make a precise estimate.

The minister also claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had decided to do everything possible to “cushion” any future price rise through fuel adjustment and conservation measures.

“So I think the price will not fluctuate considerably since the government has decided to absorb [the hike]”he added.