The Pakistani petroleum ministry announced in a Wednesday press release that the Saudi Arabian government has requested to send oil through the Red Sea port of Yanbu, after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted shipping.

War in the Middle East disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This is a crucial global chokepoint, through which a large portion of the world’s oil and the majority of Pakistan’s fuel imports pass. It raises concerns about the security of supply for economies that are import-dependent.

He?further highlighted Saudi Arabian sources who had assured the security of supplies via the Port of Yanbu, on the Red Sea. This can help'meet energy needs,' read the?release, adding that a vessel was arranged to sail from Yanbu to Pakistan to pick up crude.

Riyadh has reaffirmed that it will support Pakistan to meet its energy emergency needs.

According to a statement from the ministry, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Pakistan's Petroleum Minister, raised this issue during a meeting he had with Nawaf Bin Said Al Malki, Saudi Arabian ambassador to Pakistan.

The Minister said that most of Pakistan's energy imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the government is closely monitoring the situation to?ensure continuity of supply.

According to sources with knowledge of the situation, Saudi Arabia has also sought to divert some crude oil exports to Yanbu on the Red Sea to bypass 'Hormuz due to the slowdown in shipping through the strait.

(source: Reuters)