Karachi, March 17, 2026: Pakistan is preparing for a critical delivery of crude oil to Karachi Port as the second oil tanker, carrying 70,000 metric tons, is expected to arrive via Saudi Arabia’s port city of Yanbu in the next three days. According to sources at Energy Update, the tanker’s chosen route is significantly longer than the traditional passage through the Strait of Hormuz, taking approximately nine days instead of 2.5 days.
Officials note that while this extended route increases transportation costs, it is necessary to ensure uninterrupted energy supply in the country. The tanker’s arrival is scheduled for Thursday, according to freight projections.
The Ministry of Petroleum has confirmed that Pakistan currently has oil reserves sufficient to last until April, with approximately 28 days of stock available. In order to maintain supply levels, authorities are actively engaging with all available channels to secure additional shipments.
Energy experts and industry sources attribute part of the current supply delays to the limited fleet of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. Currently, the corporation operates 13 ships, well below the optimal 25 required for uninterrupted imports. Government records indicate that no new ships have been added to the fleet over the past 10 years, highlighting a long-standing infrastructure gap.
Adding to the energy supply concerns, the Ministry of Petroleum has also warned that liquefied natural gas (LNG) will not be available in Pakistan after April 14, which could lead to a significant gas shortage in the country, further straining the power and industrial sectors.
Analysts have cautioned that while alternative routes and imports may temporarily address oil shortages, the combination of delayed deliveries and LNG scarcity poses a serious challenge to Pakistan’s energy security in the coming months.
