Pakistan buys two Aframax tankers, plans for another

Pakistan National Shipping Corp. (PNSC) has purchased two more Aframax class oil tankers from a Croatia-based shipping company. The tankers, built in 1985 at El Ferrol shipyard in Spain, were registered in Malta.

Nov. 19, 2003

By an OGJ correspondent

KARACHI, Nov. 19 -- Pakistan National Shipping Corp. (PNSC) has purchased two more Aframax class oil tankers from a Croatia-based shipping company. The tankers, built in 1985 at El Ferrol shipyard in Spain, were registered in Malta.

The $17 million purchase increases PNSC's fleet of oil tankers to three, and it has begun negotiations to purchase a fourth tanker after receiving approval from the Ministry of Communications.

Both vessels have a draft of 13.11 m. The 85,225 dwt M.T. Swat (formerly Elimir Skorpik) has 11 storage tanks and a carrying capacity of 92,437 tonnes of liquid cargo, and the 85,432 dwt M.T. Johar (formerly Vukovar) has 10 tanks and can carry 92,437 tonnes.

The tankers purchase forms part of a contract for transporting 2.75 million tonnes/year of crude oil for Pak-Arab refinery, 4.1 million tonnes/year for National refinery, and 0.5 million tonnes/year to Pakistan refinery.

In addition to saving on foreign exchange, transportation savings will enable PNSC to purchase two more tankers, ensuring safe and timely deliveries for these companies.