Pakistan Fuel Supply Concerns Ease as Oil Tankers Arrive at Port Qasim

Islamabad – Fears of a petrol shortage in Pakistan are easing as several oil tankers have reached the country’s ports, with some already offloading their cargo. The development comes amid global supply concerns and recent economic impacts affecting trade routes.

Fuel Deliveries at Port Qasim

According to a statement from the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) on March 10, 2026, the marine tanker Torm Damini reached Pakistan on March 8 and has discharged 37,000 tonnes of diesel Dawn. The tanker Nave Atropos, carrying 50,000 tonnes of petrol, arrived at Port Qasim and is scheduled to berth on Wednesday, with offloading expected to take around 30 hours Dawn.

Further shipments are expected to arrive in the coming days. Spruce 2, carrying 55,000 tonnes of petrol, is expected to berth on Thursday, and Sea Clipper, with 34,000 tonnes of petrol, is scheduled to berth on March 13 or 14 Dawn. An additional vessel carrying petrol for Pakistan State Oil is anticipated to arrive after March 16.

LPG Imports

In addition to petrol and diesel, four ships carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have also arrived. MD23 has discharged 3,500 tonnes of LPG, while Navigator Atlantic is currently discharging 12,000 tonnes of LPG at Engro Vopak Terminal Limited, sourced from Oman. Navigator Aries is discharging 11,000 tonnes of LPG mix from Iraq at the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) LPG terminal Dawn. Another vessel, Ullswater, is waiting outside the port with 3,700 tonnes of LPG mix from Iraq, ready to discharge at the SSGC LPG terminal.

Current Stock Levels and Government Response

A senior official from the petroleum ministry stated that Pakistan currently has petrol and diesel stocks sufficient for 25 days Dawn. The recent imports are intended to maintain this supply amidst increased fuel conservation efforts following recent price hikes.

The price increases are linked to the economic impacts of the US-Israel war on Iran, which has disrupted trade through the Strait of Hormuz – a critical route for Pakistan’s oil supplies.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the finance and petroleum ministers to collaborate with provincial governments on strategies to conserve fuel and ensure uninterrupted supply. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has indicated that Saudi Arabia is providing significant assistance in procuring fuel, including arrangements for procurement through the Yanbu port and assistance with shipping Tribune.

Minister Malik also suggested that Saudi Arabia is working to arrange vessels for fuel transfer, though challenges remain in securing insurance for transferring fuel to smaller vessels in Oman. He anticipates that petroleum prices will remain relatively stable in the near future, with the government aiming to absorb any potential increases through austerity measures and fuel conservation.