ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy (PN) has launched ‘Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr’ to safeguard national energy shipments, the Pakistani military said on Monday, amid disruptions to critical sea lanes due to the ongoing Middle East crisis.

Global fuel supply chains have been affected by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway between Iran and Oman and a key transit route, that has been blocked by Tehran amid ongoing United States-Israeli strikes on Iran and its counter attacks against several Gulf states.

Oil prices surged more than 25 percent past globally on Monday to $119.50 a barrel, the highest levels since mid-2022, as some major producers cut supplies and fears of prolonged shipping disruptions gripped the market due to the expanding US-Israeli war with Iran.

Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said that three oil shipments were due to reach Pakistan this week, state media reported, as Islamabad grappled with a potential fuel shortage and the impact of surging oil prices worldwide.

“In view of the evolving regional maritime security environment and potential disruptions to critical sea lanes, Pakistan Navy has launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to counter multidimensional threats to national shipping and maritime trade,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said in a statement.

“The initiative has been undertaken to ensure the uninterrupted flow of national energy supplies and the security of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs).”

The statement came hours after Pakistani authorities said the country has “comfortable levels” of petroleum stocks and the supply chains are functioning smoothly, despite intensifying Middle East conflict.

The navy is conducting escort operations in close coordination with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), according to the ISPR. It is fully cognizant of the prevailing maritime situation and is actively monitoring and controlling the movement of merchant vessels to ensure their safe and secure transit.

“With approximately 90 percent of Pakistan’s trade conducted via sea, the operation aims to ensure that vital sea routes remain safe, secure, and uninterrupted. Currently, PN ships are escorting 2 x Merchant Vessels, one of which is scheduled to arrive Karachi today,” the ISPR said on Monday.

“Pakistan Navy remains fully prepared to respond emerging maritime security challenges and is committed to ensuring the safety of national shipping and regional maritime security.”