Pakistan Seeks Alternative Crude Routes Amid Middle East Shipping Risks

Following a high-level meeting with the federal minister for petroleum and natural resources, executives from Pakistan Refinery Limited, Parco, and National Refinery Limited were directed to immediately scout for non-traditional supply lines. While these companies currently mitigate some risk by importing UAE crude through the Port of Fujairah, the uncertainty surrounding Saudi exports from the Red Sea port of Yanbu has heightened concerns over long-term energy security.

Refiners have reached out to traders in Singapore for available cargoes already at sea, while simultaneously evaluating long-term import options from West Africa and Central Asia. The supply crunch extends to the liquefied natural gas sector, where the disruption of shipments from Qatar has compelled the country to compete for expensive spot-market supplies. By actively diversifying its procurement, Islamabad aims to insulate its economy from the escalating maritime instability currently threatening global energy corridors.