ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Pakistan has issued an emergency tender to procure a spot cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as escalating security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz threaten regional energy supplies and disrupt one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes.
State-owned Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) has invited international suppliers to submit bids for the supply of a single LNG cargo on a Delivered Ex-Ship (DES) basis at Port Qasim, according to a tender published through the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).
The tender seeks approximately 140,000 cubic metres of LNG, with a tolerance of plus or minus 10%, for delivery between Tuesday and Saturday of the current week.
The emergency procurement comes as heightened geopolitical tensions and recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified concerns over the security of LNG shipments through the strategically vital waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a key export route for liquefied natural gas from Qatar, Pakistan’s principal LNG supplier. Any disruption to vessel movements through the strait can significantly affect supply chains, forcing import-dependent countries such as Pakistan to rely on the volatile spot market, where cargoes are typically more expensive and less readily available.
Pakistan has experienced increasing pressure on its energy supplies as regional instability has affected LNG shipments, prompting the government to seek additional spot cargoes to meet domestic demand, particularly for electricity generation.
The latest tender follows Pakistan’s earlier decision on June 11 to procure LNG from the spot market to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies for power producers. Prior to the recent disruptions, the country had largely relied on long-term LNG imports from Qatar.
With domestic natural gas production continuing to decline, Pakistan’s dependence on imported LNG has steadily increased in recent years. Although the country maintains a long-term LNG supply agreement with Qatar, recent geopolitical tensions, including the US-Iran conflict, have reportedly affected scheduled cargo deliveries, increasing the need for alternative procurement through the international spot market.
The emergency tender underscores Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard energy security and maintain uninterrupted gas supplies amid growing uncertainty in global energy markets.
THE ORIGINAL STORY APPEARED ON ANADOLU AGENCY WITH ADDITIONS FROM EXPRESS TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT
