Pakistan secures Sept fuel, eyes US crude via VLCC as conflict threatens fuel supplies

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said Pakistan holds fuel supplies that cover September, with October also manageable even in the worst case, according to Business Recorder. He added that the government is now planning for November because the duration of the regional conflict involving Iran and the United States remains uncertain. The war has already disrupted oil flows and placed heavy strain on the country's weak economy.

Malik told local media that the state is running several contingency plans for disruption at Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and Saudi supply routes. Crude sourcing is being weighed from Oman, Fujairah, Libya, the US, West Africa, Nigeria and Kazakhstan. Saudi shipments are halted after Houthi strikes on oil facilities, and one Pakistani vessel is on standby.

Malik also described plans to bring a very large crude carrier from the United States and park it near Hub. Such ships can hold four times the cargo of regular tankers, yet local ports lack the depth and berths to receive them. Cargo would therefore have to be parked at Sohar in Oman or near Hub and transferred ship to ship, and any break in that chain could cause a serious diesel shortage since refineries are running flat out.