First Qatari LNG cargo since July arrives in Pakistan — Dawn
The Al Marrouna vessel carrying about 82,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar has arrived at Port Qasim in Karachi, Pakistan. This is the first Qatari LNG cargo to reach Pakistan via the Strait of Hormuz since July.
As Dawn reports, the tanker was carrying LNG from Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal, passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday and arrived at the Engro LNG terminal at Port Qasim on Thursday morning.
Supplies after the interruption
Port spokesperson Asad Altaf said that the last LNG cargo of Qatari origin arrived in Pakistan on July 11. According to him, scheduled Qatar Energy deliveries were disrupted due to the regional situation.
Pakistan purchased the new cargo under an intergovernmental agreement with Qatar. It is expected to increase LNG supplies and temporarily ease the situation in the country’s energy sector.
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Power supply disruptions
The tanker’s arrival has eased concerns about a prolonged disruption of Qatari LNG supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, power outages lasting from six to 12 hours continue in several areas of Pakistan amid rising fuel prices caused by new hostilities in the strait area.
Islamabad is using a daily fuel pricing mechanism due to oil market volatility, which has prompted protests by political parties. Market participants fear that an escalation of the war in the Persian Gulf could seriously disrupt oil and LNG supplies.
Pakistan has also recently purchased small volumes of oil from the United States, but its delivery is more expensive due to the long transportation distance. Rising fuel prices have increased production costs, while freight carriers have announced a 10% tariff increase amid accelerating inflation.
