Oil tankers return to night navigation after 28 years in Pakistan
Pakistan has achieved a major breakthrough in its oil import handling operations by resuming night navigation for fully-laden petroleum products vessels after 28 years. This successful commencement of night navigation protocols is a significant achievement for the country, as it enhances the port and FOTCO’s capacity to handle petroleum vessels by up to 30%. This translates into a handling capacity of 18 vessels per month, which will resolve port congestion and save heavy demurrages faced by importers during peak seasons.
The initiative’s importance lies in the growing need for petroleum products in Pakistan coupled with the increasing reliance on imports, which warrants the efficient functioning of port infrastructures across the country. As FOTCO and PQA handle over 70% of imported finished POL products, the efficient operations of ports and terminals are critical to the country’s energy security.
Night navigation for oil tankers was halted in Pakistan in the 1990s due to security concerns. However, with improved security measures in place, Pakistan has resumed night navigation for fully-laden petroleum products vessels, marking a significant step forward for the country.
The successful resumption of night navigation for oil tankers is a testament to the government’s efforts to ensure a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective supply of petroleum to the end consumer. Efforts to rationalize berthing plans, vessel performance, and maximizing cross-country pipeline utilization will further enhance the country’s energy security.
One of the key benefits of resuming night navigation for oil tankers is that it will significantly reduce port congestion and heavy demurrages faced by importers during peak seasons. As Pakistan imports the majority of its petroleum products, an efficient and cost-effective supply chain is essential to ensure the country’s energy security. In recent years, Pakistan has been working to improve its energy security by diversifying its energy sources and enhancing the efficiency of its energy infrastructure. The resumption of night navigation for oil tankers is a critical step toward achieving this goal.
The successful resumption of night navigation for oil tankers will also have a positive impact on Pakistan’s economy. As the country imports the majority of its petroleum products, an efficient and cost-effective supply chain is essential to keep the economy running smoothly. By reducing port congestion and heavy demurrage, Pakistan can save valuable foreign exchange and increase the efficiency of its energy infrastructure. Moreover, an efficient and cost-effective supply chain will also help reduce the burden on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. As Pakistan relies heavily on imports to meet its energy needs, an efficient supply chain will help reduce the country’s import bill and ease the pressure on its foreign exchange reserves.
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The successful resumption of night navigation for oil tankers is a significant achievement for Pakistan. It marks a major breakthrough in the country’s oil import handling operations and enhances the port and FOTCO‘s capacity to handle petroleum vessels by up to 30%. This translates into a handling capacity of 18 vessels per month, which will resolve port congestion and save heavy demurrages faced by importers during peak seasons. The resumption of night navigation for oil tankers is a critical step towards achieving Pakistan’s goal of enhancing its energy security, diversifying its energy sources, and improving the efficiency of its energy infrastructure.
