Shell Pakistan’s largest April importer

Shell Pakistan was Pakistan’s largest base oils importer in April for the third time in four months.

Its imports accounted for more than a third of Pakistan’s total base oil imports of more than 29,000t in April, provisional customs data showed.

March has been the only month this year when Shell Pakistan was not the largest importer.

The trend contrasts with 2021, when it was the largest importer a total of four times throughout the year. Chevron Pakistan was the largest monthly importer six times last year.

The country’s five largest importers typically account for more than 80pc of Pakistan’s base oil imports each month. These importers typically also include MAL Pakistan and Reliance Petrochem Industries.

Pakistan’s base oil imports rose by more than 45pc in the first four months of the year to more than 100,000t. The trend has coincided with a slight drop in the country’s base oils production during the same period.