- MT Pegasus carrying 1 million barrels of US WTI crude due to arrive at Cnergyico’s offshore port in Balochistan
- Landmark shipment marks Pakistan’s first crude import from the United States amid drive to diversify energy supplies
KARACHI: Pakistan’s first-ever cargo of United States crude oil is set to dock on Wednesday at Cnergyico Pk Ltd’s offshore terminal near Balochistan, the company said, calling it a historic step in diversifying the nation’s energy imports and expanding trade with Washington.
The Suezmax-class vessel MT Pegasus, carrying 1 million barrels of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, was loaded in Houston on September 14 and is expected to berth later today, Wednesday, at Cnergyico’s Single Point Mooring (SPM) facility. It will be the largest crude oil tanker ever to dock at a Pakistani port, according to the company.
Cnergyico said the shipment follows a bilateral trade deal between Islamabad and Washington that allows direct energy imports from the US. The cargo represents Pakistan’s first crude purchase outside the Middle East, which currently supplies over 90 percent of its oil, and signals a shift toward a broader energy partnership with the United States.
“This is a historic day for Pakistan’s energy sector,” Cnergyico said in a statement, adding that the arrival of MT Pegasus “marks the beginning of a new era in Pakistan-US trade relations.”
The Karachi-based refiner, Pakistan’s largest with a capacity of about 156,000 barrels per day, operates the country’s only offshore mooring system capable of handling large oil tankers. Cnergyico said it plans to import a second US cargo in mid-November and a third in early 2026 as part of its long-term strategy to diversify supply sources.
Industry observers say the use of lighter, low-sulfur US WTI crude could help improve refining margins and reduce reliance on heavier Middle Eastern grades, giving Pakistan more flexibility against global supply disruptions.
Cnergyico previously set a national record in FY 2017 when it handled the then-largest crude vessel at its SPM. The company said today’s scheduled docking of MT Pegasus will break that record, underscoring its role in modernizing Pakistan’s refining and logistics infrastructure.
“We are proud to lead Pakistan’s energy sector into a new era by successfully handling the country’s largest-ever crude oil vessel,” the company said.
