Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan is expected to receive a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo within the next three to five days after the vessel carrying the shipment crossed the Strait of Hormuz and reached Omani waters, officials said.
The LNG carrier Al Mafyar arrived in Omani waters on Tuesday after successfully navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said the vessel is a large Q-Max carrier, meaning the LNG may need to be transferred to smaller vessels through a ship-to-ship operation before being transported to Pakistan, The News reported.
According to officials familiar with the development, one of the smaller vessels involved could be Ejnan, which is expected to reach Pakistan within three to five days.
“This is the first LNG cargo that Pakistan has arranged from Qatar with the reported assistance of Iranian authorities,” officials said, adding that Pakistan could arrange two smaller LNG shipments through ship-to-ship transfers from the Q-Max carrier.
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Another LNG cargo is also expected to be arranged for Pakistan shortly. QatarEnergy has extended its force majeure until November, creating uncertainty over Pakistan’s LNG supplies ahead of the winter season. Despite the situation, Pakistani authorities reportedly managed to secure the latest cargo at a price equivalent to 13.37 percent of Brent after engaging with Iran’s senior leadership.
Officials said that if Pakistan manages to secure two additional LNG cargoes for October, there would be no immediate requirement to purchase further spot LNG during the month.
Read More: Pakistan Among Asia’s Worst-Hit Countries by LNG Disruptions
Spot LNG prices are currently estimated at around $28–30 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), meaning a single cargo could cost approximately $100 million, placing significant pressure on Pakistan’s energy import bill.
Pakistan secured two LNG cargoes from Qatar in September. One arrived on September 10, while the second reached the country on September 23.
