Country's shipping activity remains normal despite Hormuz tensions

ISLAMABAD: Shipping operations linked to Pakistan have continued without disruption despite the tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz, with oil tankers still reaching the country with fuel supplies.

After unloading crude oil brought from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, the Pakistan National Shipping Company-owned marine tanker MT Sargodha completed its discharge at Karachi port. Two more tankers are also expected to berth there with petroleum cargo.

According to the reported port activity, three tankers were likely to dock at Karachi port on Monday. These include MT Shalimar and MT Lahore, both operated by the Pakistan National Shipping Company, to unload crude oil.

In addition, MT Martini is scheduled to berth at Karachi port on Monday evening for the loading of surplus fuel oil produced in Pakistan.

Port operations continue

Other vessels have also been active at the port. MT Hafnia Henriette and MT Wan HE have berthed to load naphtha and ethanol, while MT Eva Gold departed after taking on an ethanol cargo.

Containerised cargo movement at the port remained active, with more than 60,554 tonnes handled. This included 58,366 tonnes of import cargo and 2,188 tonnes of export-oriented containers.

At the same time, two ships — Pan Concord and Echo GR — discharged 1,388 tonnes of imported soya bean meal.

Meanwhile, three ships identified as Hosun, Galaxy, and Liana are loading 611 tonnes of rice meant for export.

With liquid, dry and bulk cargo included, total cargo handling at Karachi port on Sunday was reported at around 80,000 tonnes.

The port is also expected to remain busy, with 19 cargo ships scheduled to berth at Karachi port on Monday.

Fuel supply chain intact

The continued arrival and departure of tankers indicates that maritime trade and petroleum supply movements connected to Pakistan are proceeding normally despite regional uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.

The reported vessel schedule also shows that Karachi port is handling a mix of crude oil, fuel oil, naphtha, ethanol, agricultural imports and rice exports as regular shipping traffic continues.