Islamabad – Four ships loaded with petrol and diesel have made it to Pakistani ports over the past few days. Three more are lined up to berth this week. The arrivals come at a critical time, with global oil flows squeezed hard by the war next door.
Port Qasim Authority gave the update Tuesday. The tanker Torm Damini pulled in March 8 and offloaded 37,000 tonnes of diesel straight away. That cargo has already gone into the country’s reserves. The Nave Atropos, hauling 50,000 tonnes of petrol, has reached the port and should start berthing Wednesday. Discharge will take about 30 hours.
Then comes the Spruce 2 on Thursday with 55,000 tonnes more petrol. The Sea Clipper follows, carrying 34,000 tonnes, scheduled for March 13 or 14. After that, one extra tanker for Pakistan State Oil is expected sometime after March 16.
Stocks Hold for 25 Days, Imports Buy Breathing Room
A senior official in the petroleum ministry told Dawn the country has petrol and diesel stocks good for roughly 25 days right now. These fresh cargoes will stop supplies from running out. People have cut back on fuel use since the latest price jump, which stretches what’s already in storage. The price rise hit because the US-Israel war on Iran has basically shut down the Strait of Hormuz – Pakistan’s main oil lifeline.
PM Orders Plan to Stretch Fuel Further
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the finance and petroleum ministers to team up with the provinces fast. They need a solid strategy to save fuel and keep pumps running without breaks. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik already said Sunday that three shipments would arrive by Monday. With four here or close, the immediate crunch looks less scary.
