KARACHI: Pakistan is struggling to secure imports of high-speed diesel (HSD) even as supplies of petrol from the international market remain relatively stable, The News learned on Tuesday.
Fuel tankers that have arrived at the country’s ports or are currently enroute to Pakistan are carrying petrol cargoes, while no shipments of HSD have been secured or are on their way, sources in the oil sector said. They added that petrol cargoes have been arranged mainly from the Singapore market, easing fears of an immediate shortage of the fuel in Pakistan amid tensions in the Middle East.
Four petrol-laden ships have arrived at Port Qasim, officials confirmed. According to port authorities, the vessel TORM DAMINI has successfully discharged 37,000 tonnes of gas oil over approximately 40 hours and is scheduled to sail on the night of March 10.
Another vessel, NAVE ATROPOS, carrying 50,000 tonnes of Mogas from Singapore, arrived on March 9 at 1736 hours. It is scheduled to berth on March 11, with an estimated discharge duration of 30 hours, and will sail on March 12.
SPRUCE 2, carrying 55,000 tonnes of Mogas from Sohar, Oman, is expected to arrive on the night of March 10. The vessel will berth after NAVE ATROPOS on March 12, discharge its cargo over approximately 30 hours, and is expected to sail on March 13.
SEA CLIPPER, carrying 34,000 tonnes of Mogas from Fujairah, is scheduled to arrive on March 11. Berthing is expected after SPRUCE 2 on the evening of March 13 or early morning of March 14, with an estimated discharge period of about 30 hours before sailing on March 14.
Industry sources said that all cargoes that have arrived or are expected over the next 24 hours are petrol shipments, as the country has not been able to secure HSD cargoes. They noted that diesel supplies are largely routed through the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently blocked due to regional tensions.
They added that international diesel prices surged to around $175 per barrel on Monday and the fuel has become difficult to procure.Pakistan State Oil (PSO) said it was taking proactive steps to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies amid the evolving geopolitical situation and volatility in international energy markets.
In a statement, the state-owned oil marketing company said it was building fuel stocks and optimising its supply chain operations to safeguard the country’s energy needs. PSO said it was acting in line with the strategic directives of the Ministry of Energy and was utilising its international procurement network and logistics system to maintain the flow of petroleum products across the country.
The company added that its procurement processes remained transparent and competitive. While extreme demand conditions had resulted in a lack of participation in a previous tender, the tender opened on March 10 received a strong response from international bidders.
PSO said bids were currently being evaluated in accordance with regulatory requirements. The company also noted that its operational teams were working round the clock to maintain the integrity of the fuel supply chain, ensuring the smooth movement of petroleum products from ports to retail outlets across the country.
“Our priority is, and always will be, the people of Pakistan,” the company said, adding that it remained committed to maintaining stability in the country’s fuel supply system. Local refineries are expected to increase production of HSD to meet domestic demand. However, industry officials warned of potential shortages as demand is likely to rise with the harvesting season approaching in the second half of March, particularly in the southern parts of the country.
Sources said a crude oil cargo for Pakistan Arab Refinery Limited has already arrived in the country, while another shipment is on its way. One crude cargo for Pakistan Refinery has also departed for Pakistan, while another shipment for National Refinery is enroute from Fujairah.
