LPG prices drop as two vessels arrive at Port Qasim

KARACHI (Staff Report): The supply situation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has started improving with the continued arrival of imported cargoes at Port Qasim, bringing relief to consumers with a Rs 20 per kg reduction in prices.

LPG Marketers Association Senior Vice Chairman Ali Haider said that the arrival of LPG vessels, which had slowed down in recent weeks, has resumed in November.

Giving details, he said the first LPG vessel for the month, Alisa 1, anchored at the SSGC terminal at Port Qasim in the first week of November. The ship is carrying 3,071 tons of LPG and offloading is currently underway.

He added that a second vessel, Artan Line, carrying 1,745 metric tons of LPG from Oman, has also reached Port Qasim and will anchor today. With the arrival of these two vessels, a total of 4,816 tons of imported LPG has reached the country in the first week of November alone.

The fresh supplies have immediately impacted the retail market. In Karachi, LPG price has come down by Rs 20 per kg and is now being sold at Rs 520 per kg, compared to Rs 540 per kg last week.

Ali Haider said that the market was facing tightness due to delayed shipments and increased winter demand, particularly in northern areas and Balochistan where natural gas is not available.

He said that with more vessels in the pipeline, the supply chain will be further strengthened and prices are likely to decline further in the coming days.

“LPG availability is critical for domestic and commercial consumers. The arrival of imported cargoes will help stabilize prices and ensure uninterrupted supply,” he said.

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan meets a significant portion of its LPG demand through imports, especially during winter when consumption rises sharply. The government and importers are coordinating to ensure smooth berthing and offloading of LPG vessels at Port Qasim to avoid any shortage.