Commercial loading dispute: Oil tankers’ body threatens to go on a nationwide strike

KARACHI: The All Pakistan Oil Tankers Contractors Association has warned of a nationwide shutdown of operations if the government fails to meet its demands within the next 48 hours, urging the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to stop commercial loading through oil marketing companies (OMCs) before the ultimatum expires and implement its regulatory decisions.

The All Pakistan Oil Tankers Contractors Association and the All Pakistan Oil Tankers Owners Association jointly issued a 72-hour ultimatum on July 22, urging the OGRA to stop commercial loading by oil marketing companies (OMCs). With two days still remaining before the deadline, both associations said that they were awaiting a meaningful response from the authorities.

According to the associations that they had repeatedly informed the Ministry of Petroleum, OGRA, the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), OMCs and the media that commercial loading through OMCs violated regulatory decisions and had seriously affected oil tanker contractors.

Giving a past example, they said that the OGRA had stopped commercial loading in 2020, but it was later restored through an order. It said the decision had caused heavy financial losses to tanker contractors.

They said that many tanker owners had purchased vehicles costing about Rs25 million. However, after commercial loading resumed, a large number of vehicles remained idle despite being available for work.

Under the existing system, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) carries out about 45 percent of commercial loading, while oil tanker contractors handle the remaining 55 percent, they added.

The associations claimed that, in practice, contractors receive only 70 to 80 percent of their allocated 55 percent share, leaving nearly 20 percent of the contractors’ fleet without work. Other OMCs allocate about 30 percent of commercial loading to contractors, while they handle the remaining 15 percent themselves, they said.

They pointed out that the situation had become increasingly difficult for tanker owners, many of whom had invested their life savings in purchasing vehicles. Rising operating costs and fewer work opportunities had pushed many families into financial hardship.

Appealing to the Ministry of Petroleum, OGRA, OCAC and other relevant authorities, they sought urgent intervention to end the commercial loading permanently and ensure tanker owners receive work under the existing regulations.

The associations warned that if demands were not met before the deadline, the oil tanker contractors across the country would suspend operations, saying that the move could disrupt fuel transportation and create serious fuel supply problems nationwide.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026