Role in Strait of Hormuz Traffic
Port Qasim handles Pakistan's LNG import terminals, including those serving SSGC and Engro Elengy. Karachi Port handles refined petroleum products, crude oil, fertilisers, and general cargo. Petroleum imports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and UAE transit Hormuz before arriving at Karachi and Port Qasim. The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) operates a small fleet of tankers and bulk carriers that use the corridor. Pakistan's refinery capacity is limited, meaning the country imports substantial volumes of finished petroleum products as well as crude.
Key Ports and Routes
Karachi Port is the older of the two main commercial ports, handling containers, bulk cargo, and liquid bulk. Port Qasim, approximately 35 km east of Karachi, handles containers, bulk, and liquid bulk including LNG. The LNG berths at Port Qasim have been significantly expanded to accommodate the growing LNG import programme. Both ports are served by vessels transiting inbound via the Hormuz corridor.
Transit Clearance Considerations
Operators running LNG import vessels to Port Qasim on fixed-schedule deliveries should plan transit clearance applications as part of standard voyage documentation. The regularity of LNG shuttle schedules makes fleet discount rates particularly relevant. LNG carriers are subject to IGC Code requirements; DG declaration is mandatory. Given Pakistan's geographic position, inbound transits are typically Hormuz inbound followed by a south-eastward passage to Karachi; the transit clearance covers the strait segment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are LNG deliveries to Port Qasim subject to transit clearance for each voyage?
Yes. Each transit through the Strait corridor requires its own Transit Clearance Certificate. For regular LNG shuttle routes between Ras Laffan and Port Qasim, applications should be prepared as part of the standard voyage documentation cycle.
Can SSGC or Engro act as the applicant for LNG tanker clearances?
The applicant must have authority to bind the vessel operator. LNG cargo receivers or terminal operators typically do not have this authority unless they also manage the vessel operations. The vessel's owner, operator, or their authorised agent should submit the application.
What documents should be ready for a clearance application for a vessel calling at Port Qasim?
You will need the vessel name, IMO number, MMSI, flag state, vessel type, gross tonnage, DWT, voyage direction, transit date, last port, next port, cargo type and quantity, owner/operator details, contact information, and P&I club name.
Published: January 2025 · Last updated: October 2026