Pakistan Issues Fresh LNG Tender Amid Supply Crunch
Pakistan has floated a new tender for the procurement of one liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from the spot market, driven by uncertainty in Qatari supplies and a surge in electricity demand. The state-owned Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) issued the tender on Wednesday for a cargo with a delivery window between July 10 and 11, as soaring temperatures exacerbate the country's electricity shortfall.
According to the PLL advertisement, bids are invited from reputed international suppliers on a Delivered Ex-Ship (DES) basis at Port Qasim, Karachi. The deadline for bid submission is July 3, 2026, with bids to be opened the same day. This marks the second tender floated by PLL within four days to secure LNG from the spot market.
Previous Tender and Sole Bidder
On June 27, PLL had invited bids for an LNG cargo for the supply window of June 30 to July 4. Bids were opened on June 29, where BP Singapore emerged as the sole bidder at $16.7372 per mmbtu. The company was declared technically and commercially responsive, and the PLL Board has approved its bid for the supply of cargo on July 4.
The ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict has disrupted Qatari LNG supplies, forcing Pakistan to turn to the spot market to meet rising electricity demand. Despite the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistan is unlikely to receive its full LNG supply from Qatar under the long-term contract, as QatarEnergy has extended force majeure to some European and Asian buyers until August-September.
Eight Cargoes Secured Since Conflict Began
Since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, Pakistan has secured eight LNG cargoes to meet increasing electricity demand amid surging temperatures. Of these, five cargoes have been supplied by QatarEnergy under the long-term contract, two were procured from the spot market, and the third spot cargo is scheduled for delivery on July 4.
Pakistan LNG Limited, owned by the government of Pakistan, is mandated to procure LNG to meet the country's gas requirements. The advertisement noted that PLL reserves the right to reject all bids prior to acceptance, as per rule 33 of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004.
