Islamabad: Pakistan has secured the safe passage of another liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment from Qatar through the Strait of Hormuz after reaching an arrangement with Iran, Bloomberg reported.
The development could provide some relief to Pakistan as the country faces pressure on its energy supplies amid continuing disruption in the region.
According to Bloomberg, the LNG tanker loaded its cargo at Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility in late June. The vessel crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend and was expected to reach Pakistan’s LNG import terminal by Tuesday, based on ship-tracking data.
The passage was arranged through discussions between government officials, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks were not public.
The shipment would mark the second Qatari LNG delivery to Pakistan this month to successfully pass through the strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a major concern for global energy markets during the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The waterway is a key route for international oil and gas shipments, making any disruption there a serious risk for energy-importing countries.
For Pakistan, the issue is particularly important because the country relies heavily on imported LNG to meet part of its energy needs. Any prolonged disruption to supplies could put additional pressure on electricity generation, industry and domestic consumers.
The latest shipment suggests that Pakistan has been able to secure arrangements allowing critical energy cargoes to move through the strait despite the wider regional tensions.
Pakistan has maintained diplomatic contacts with Iran as it seeks to protect its energy supplies and manage the broader economic impact of the conflict.
The latest development also highlights the importance of Qatar to Pakistan’s energy security. Qatar is a major LNG supplier to Pakistan, while Ras Laffan remains one of the world’s largest LNG export hubs.
With tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continuing, the safe movement of LNG tankers remains closely watched by energy markets and countries that depend on imports.
The Bloomberg report said the latest shipment is expected to provide another short-term lifeline for Pakistan as it deals with an energy shortfall and the wider consequences of the regional crisis.
