Summary The LNG carrier Al Mafyar reached Omani waters on Tuesday after passing through the Strait of Hormuz
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan is expected to receive an LNG shipment from Qatar within the next three to five days after the vessel carrying the cargo crossed the Strait of Hormuz and entered Omani waters, officials said.
The LNG carrier Al Mafyar reached Omani waters on Tuesday after passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to officials familiar with the development.
As the vessel is a Q-Max carrier, the LNG cargo is expected to be transferred to a smaller vessel during the journey. Officials said a vessel, potentially named Ejnan, could transport the shipment to Pakistan within three to five days.
Officials described the shipment as the first LNG cargo arranged by Pakistan from Qatar with reported assistance from Iranian authorities. Pakistan is expected to arrange two smaller vessels to receive LNG from the Q-Max carrier through ship-to-ship transfers.
Another LNG cargo is also expected to be arranged for Pakistan soon, officials said.
QatarEnergy has extended its force majeure until November. Despite the disruption, Pakistani authorities managed to secure the latest cargo at a price equivalent to 13.37% of Brent after engaging with Iran’s senior leadership.
Officials said that if Pakistan succeeds in securing two additional LNG cargoes for October, it would not immediately need to purchase further spot LNG during the month.
However, spot LNG prices currently range between $28 and $30 per MMBtu, with a single cargo estimated to cost around $100 million. Officials said such prices would place a significant financial burden on Pakistan.
Pakistan had secured two LNG cargoes from Qatar in September. The first shipment arrived on September 10, while the second reached the country on September 23.
