ISLAMABAD: Pakistan received another spot Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) cargo on Sunday as part of efforts to ensure stable fuel supplies amid ongoing volatility in global energy markets.
The LNG carrier BW Helios berthed at the PGPL Terminal at Port Qasim at 8:10am, delivering around 140,000 cubic metres of LNG procured by Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) through a competitive international bidding process.
According to officials, the cargo was supplied by BP Singapore and awarded following bids opened on June 4, with the winning offer priced at $19.1337 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) for delivery during the June 6–7 window.
Energy sector sources said the shipment will be injected into the national transmission network to support gas supplies for power generation, industrial use, and other demand centres at a time when domestic production remains insufficient.
The arrival of BW Helios marks Pakistan’s second spot LNG purchase since March 2026, when regional geopolitical tensions intensified and concerns grew over energy supply stability in the Gulf region.
Including three long-term LNG cargoes supplied by QatarEnergy, the latest shipment becomes the fifth LNG cargo received by Pakistan during the period under review.
Officials said maintaining adequate fuel inventories remains a key priority, with the National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) continuing to monitor international energy markets and coordinate timely procurement decisions in response to supply risks.
The current shipment follows an earlier spot cargo delivered on April 30 by the vessel Seapeak Magellan, which carried LNG procured from TotalEnergies at a price of $18.40 per MMBtu.
Market observers noted that while the latest cargo was secured at a slightly higher price, global LNG spot rates have remained volatile due to geopolitical developments and supply uncertainties in key producing regions.
Pakistan’s LNG procurement strategy has increasingly focused on a dual approach—balancing long-term contracts with QatarEnergy and opportunistic spot purchases to ensure supply security while managing costs.
Officials added that long-term LNG supplies from QatarEnergy are linked to Brent crude pricing, typically offering more stable and comparatively lower rates than spot market purchases.
Story by Khalid Mustafa
