The United States denied involvement in the delay of a liquefied gas tanker bound for Pakistan
Kyiv • UNN
The United States stated that it did not redirect the Al-Areesh tanker carrying Qatari LNG to Pakistan. The delay threatens Pakistan's energy security, which depends on Qatari gas.
The United States stated that it did not participate in the rerouting of a liquefied natural gas tanker from Qatar that was heading to Pakistan through the Strait of Hormuz. This is reported by Bloomberg, writes UNN.
Details
The vessel in question is the Al-Areesh, which, after loading at the Qatari export terminal Ras Laffan in early July, remained in the Persian Gulf for more than three weeks. On Thursday, the tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz with its transponders on, indicating Pakistan as its destination.
A spokesman for the U.S. Central Command, Captain Tim Hawkins, said that the U.S. military did not participate in changing the vessel's route. At the same time, a Bloomberg source familiar with the situation claims that Iran ordered the tanker to suspend its voyage to Pakistan.
The delay in supply threatens Pakistan's energy security
According to Bloomberg, the vessel is currently near the port of Muscat in Oman. Its expected arrival date in Pakistan has shifted from July 31 to August 6.
The agency notes that the delay could exacerbate the energy crisis in Pakistan, which is almost entirely dependent on Qatari LNG to power its power plants. Since the end of February, the country has already spent more than $400 million on purchasing liquefied gas on the spot market to replace canceled deliveries.
According to Bloomberg sources, Pakistan has held talks with Iran to ensure the safe passage of at least one Qatari cargo through the Strait of Hormuz.
At the same time, QatarEnergy, one of the world's largest LNG exporters, this week extended the force majeure on gas supplies to European and Asian clients, which could further worsen the situation on the global market ahead of the winter season.