Karachi: In a strategic move to sustain refinery operations amid ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Pak-Arab Refinery Company (PARCO) has successfully arranged two crude oil cargoes via alternative routes, officials in the Petroleum Division told The News.
The new shipments have extended PARCO’s crude stock cover from March 15 to March 25, with each cargo carrying approximately 70,000 barrels. One shipment was sourced from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and transported via Fujairah port on the Gulf of Oman, a key oil storage and bunkering hub located outside the Hormuz Strait. The second cargo was secured from Saudi Arabia and transported through the East-West Crude Oil Pipeline, which connects the kingdom’s eastern oil fields to Red Sea export terminals.
Typically, PARCO imports crude under a long-term agreement with ADNOC, with most shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz. However, ongoing disruptions forced the refinery to secure alternative routes to ensure uninterrupted operations. A vessel of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, MT Karachi, carrying crude from ADNOC, remains stranded in the Strait due to the crisis.
Officials confirmed that PARCO management is actively seeking additional cargoes via bypass routes to maintain operational continuity. Meanwhile, Pakistan may request Saudi Arabia to include the country among preferred buyers for crude shipments through Red Sea export terminals if the Hormuz situation persists.
Energy experts warned that while these alternative routes help sustain refinery operations, Pakistan’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports could remain vulnerable, as the country relies heavily on supplies from Qatar, with Saudi Arabia not being a major LNG exporter.
PARCO, with a refining capacity of around 120,000 barrels per day, has been operating at full capacity for more than a year, underscoring its critical role in Pakistan’s fuel supply chain.
