Pakistan Oil Import: Pakistan has commenced importing crude oil through the Red Sea route following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has severely disrupted global oil shipments due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
A vessel from the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) docked at Yanbu port in Saudi Arabia and is scheduled to depart for Karachi on March 12, 2026, carrying 73,000 tonnes of crude oil.
Another PNSC vessel, named Shalamar, successfully loaded oil at Fujairah port and is en route to Karachi. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has left several vessels stranded, including two PNSC ships near Karachi.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route, has been nearly closed since the US-Israeli conflict with Iran erupted over a week ago, blocking approximately 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports.
In response to the global price surge, Pakistan’s government has increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per litre, setting new rates at Rs321.17 for petrol and Rs335.86 for diesel.
This strategic shift in oil import routes highlights Pakistan’s adaptability in securing energy supplies amid geopolitical tensions, with potential long-term implications for regional energy markets.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, March 11, 2026
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