Pakistan receives first US crude oil shipment, marking milestone in energy ties

Pakistan has received its first-ever shipment of crude oil from the United States, marking a new phase in bilateral trade relations and diversification of the country’s energy supplies.

The cargo arrived aboard the Suezmax vessel MT Pegasus and was offloaded at Cnergyico’s Single Point Mooring (SPM) terminal off the coast of Balochistan, the company said on October 29, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“The arrival of Pakistan’s first-ever US crude oil cargo marks an important milestone for the country’s energy sector and for Cnergyico,” Vice Chairman of Cnergyico Pk Limited Usama Qureshi said.

He said two more shipments are expected to follow — one in mid-November and another in January 2026 — with the three cargoes together expected to improve Pakistan’s trade balance with the US by about $200 million.

Qureshi noted that the SPM facility, the only offshore crude-handling terminal in Pakistan, enables the efficient unloading of large vessels, helping to reduce logistics costs and improve refinery operations.

“These imports not only diversify Pakistan’s crude supply but also strengthen bilateral trade ties and contribute to the country’s long-term energy security,” he added.

Cnergyico first announced plans in August to import 1 million barrels of US crude from global trader Vitol. The company later ordered a second shipment in September after deeming its initial purchase commercially viable, paving the way for further imports.

In 2023, Cnergyico made headlines by importing Pakistan’s first private-sector cargo of Russian crude, taking advantage of discounted oil offered by Moscow.

By Aghakazim Guliyev