Pakistan Buys Spot LNG

Pakistan has returned to the spot liquefied natural gas market with an urgent tender for three cargoes after a long pause in discretionary buying. (reuters.com) State-run Pakistan LNG Ltd. issued the tender on April 23, seeking three shipments of about 140,000 cubic meters each for delivery at Port Qasim in Karachi on April 27-30, May 1-7, and May 8-14. Bids are due on April 24. (reuters.com) Power Minister Awais Leghari said the purchase is meant to meet rising electricity demand and cut the use of costlier diesel and furnace oil in power generation. Pakistan last issued a spot LNG tender in December 2023. (dawn.com) Pakistan typically relies on long-term LNG contracts, especially with Qatar, for most of its imported gas. S&P Global Commodity Insights said the country usually brings in about nine to 10 cargoes a month under those contracts. (spglobal.com) That system has been strained in April after conflict-linked shipping disruptions hit flows through the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf waterway used by many LNG exporters. Reuters reported on April 15 that Islamabad was weighing spot purchases but preferred government-to-government deals to avoid paying high premiums. (reuters.com) The shortfall is showing up in trade data as well. Pakistan’s LNG imports fell to $70 million in March 2026 from $226 million in March 2025, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics figures cited by S&P Global. (spglobal.com) Regional suppliers are also trying to fill the gap. Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR said on April 21 that it was ready to supply LNG to Pakistan once Islamabad made a formal request through its procurement agency. (msn.com) The immediate question is whether Pakistan can secure the three cargoes quickly enough to cover late-April and early-May demand without leaning harder on oil-fired plants. The tender timetable leaves suppliers less than a day to respond. (reuters.com)