Key Takeaways
- Pakistan has secured safe passage for a Qatari LNG shipment through the Strait of Hormuz.
- The shipment is expected to reach Pakistan’s LNG import facility by Tuesday.
- This delivery marks the second Qatari LNG shipment to reach Pakistan this month.
Pakistan has successfully secured safe passage for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment from Qatar through the Strait of Hormuz, providing some relief to the country facing an energy shortfall.
The LNG tanker, which loaded its cargo at Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility in late June, crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend and is expected to arrive at Pakistan’s LNG import facility by Tuesday, according to ship tracking data.
The passage was negotiated between government officials, ensuring the shipment could proceed despite the ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
This delivery is significant as it marks the second Qatari LNG shipment to reach Pakistan this month, following a similar successful passage earlier in the month.
Pakistan has been using its relationship with Iran to secure several LNG cargoes since strikes began in late February, aiming to avoid rolling blackouts and the high costs associated with spot market purchases.
A successful delivery would allow the government to avoid another purchase from the spot market, where LNG prices have risen to their highest level since 2022.
Pakistan received nearly all of its LNG from Qatar last year, with Qatar being home to the world’s largest LNG export facility.
However, only a very small volume of LNG is currently being shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al Kaabi.
The successful passage of this Qatari LNG shipment through the Strait of Hormuz is a testament to Pakistan’s strategic efforts to secure energy supplies and mitigate the impact of regional disruptions.
