ISLAMABAD (MNN); Pakistan has received several fuel shipments as part of efforts to maintain petroleum supplies amid global shortages triggered by tensions in the Middle East.
According to officials on Tuesday, three ships carrying petrol have arrived in the country, while another tanker has already unloaded its diesel cargo to replenish local fuel stocks.
A statement issued by the Port Qasim Authority said the marine tanker Torm Damini reached Pakistan on March 8 and successfully discharged about 37,000 tonnes of diesel.
Another tanker, Nave Atropos, carrying around 50,000 tonnes of petrol, has also reached Port Qasim and is scheduled to berth on Wednesday. The unloading process is expected to take nearly 30 hours.
A third vessel, Spruce 2, transporting approximately 55,000 tonnes of petrol, is expected to dock at the port on Thursday.
Meanwhile, a fourth ship named Sea Clipper, carrying about 34,000 tonnes of petrol, is expected to berth between March 13 and March 14.
Officials added that another tanker carrying petrol for the state-owned Pakistan State Oil is likely to arrive after March 16.
A senior official from the petroleum ministry said the country currently has petrol and diesel reserves sufficient for about 25 days.
He noted that the arrival of additional fuel shipments would help ensure that supplies remain stable in the coming weeks.
The official also said that consumers have begun conserving fuel after the recent increase in petroleum prices, which is helping maintain existing reserves.
The government raised fuel prices as Pakistan began experiencing economic repercussions from the United States and Israelās military actions against Iran, which have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz ā a critical route used by Pakistan for oil imports.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the finance and petroleum ministries to coordinate with provincial governments to devise a strategy aimed at conserving fuel and ensuring an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the country.
Earlier, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik had informed a briefing that several petroleum shipments were expected to reach Pakistan this week to support national fuel reserves.
