KEY POINTS
- Pakistan’s first-ever US crude oil cargo arrived at offshore terminal in Hub, Balochistan.
- The vessel is the largest crude oil tanker ever to berth at a Pakistani port
- The milestone follows a July 2025 trade agreement between Islamabad and Washington
- Analysts say the move signals a deeper economic alignment
ISLAMABAD: For the first time in Pakistan’s history, a crude oil cargo from the United States arrived on Wednesday at Cnergyico Pakistan Limited’s offshore terminal near Hub, Balochistan, marking what company officials described as a “historic step” in diversifying the country’s energy sources.
The vessel MT Pegasus, carrying approximately one million barrels of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil, departed from Houston on September 14 and docked early Wednesday morning, according to a Cnergyico statement shared with the media.
The company said the arrival represented “the largest crude oil vessel ever to anchor at a Pakistani port,” underscoring the growing capacity of its single-point mooring terminal located off the Balochistan coast near Karachi.
According to a Cnergyico spokesperson, the shipment “opens new opportunities for Pakistan’s refining sector and strengthens trade relations with the United States.”
The spokesperson added that further consignments are scheduled, with the next shipment expected in mid-November.
Energy experts quoted by the media observed the cargo’s arrival reflected Islamabad’s intent to broaden its crude supply base beyond the Middle East, which has traditionally accounted for over 90 per cent of Pakistan’s oil imports.
“It’s a strategic diversification move, politically and commercially significant,” said one Karachi-based analyst familiar with the deal.
Strategic Shift in Energy Sourcing
Officials at the Petroleum Division told Dawn that the transaction followed a bilateral understanding reached during trade talks earlier this year, under which Pakistan’s refineries were encouraged to explore sourcing lighter US crude grades to improve refining yields.
The official noted that US WTI is less sulfur-intensive than Middle Eastern blends, potentially improving fuel efficiency and refining margins.
Economists cited by AP News said the development also fits within Washington’s broader effort to strengthen trade links with Pakistan’s private sector. “Energy collaboration can open the door for broader commercial ties,” one US-based energy economist said.
Cnergyico said it plans to continue receiving American crude through 2026, calling it part of a “long-term import diversification strategy.”
Outlook
Industry experts believe Pakistan’s first US crude shipment could serve as a precedent for regional energy diversification. However, they warned that freight costs, exchange rate volatility, and geopolitical risks could still influence the viability of future imports.
As Pakistan’s refining sector looks outward for efficiency and stability, Wednesday’s arrival of the MT Pegasus — shimmering off the coast of Hub — may prove more than symbolic: it could mark the beginning of a new era in the country’s trade and energy diplomacy.
