Pakistan Seeks Fresh LNG Cargo Amid Ongoing Power Shortages
Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) has invited bids for an additional LNG cargo as the country continues to face electricity shortages linked in part to limited gas supplies for power generation.
The state-owned company is seeking around 140,000 cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, with a permitted variation of plus or minus 5 percent. The cargo is required at Port Qasim between September 4 and September 8, 2026.
Emergency LNG Procurement
PLL issued the tender on August 30 and has asked international suppliers to submit their bids by 2pm on September 1.
The technical proposals will be opened at 2:30pm, followed by the commercial offers of technically qualified bidders at 3:30pm. The company plans to finalize the contract on the same day, with submitted bids remaining valid until 10pm.
The LNG is to be delivered on a Delivered Ex Ship basis to the terminal operated by Pakistan Gas Port Consortium Limited at Port Qasim in Karachi.
Lowest Evaluated Bid to Win Contract
According to the tender conditions, the contract will be awarded to the technically compliant supplier offering the lowest evaluated price in US dollars per million British thermal units.
The procurement is being conducted through a single-stage, two-envelope process. Suppliers are required to submit separate technical and commercial proposals.
To qualify, bidders must show that they have supplied at least eight LNG cargoes during the previous 24 months.
Each bidder must also provide a $300,000 bid bond. The successful supplier will be required to submit an unconditional performance guarantee equivalent to 10 percent of the total contract value.
LNG Supply and Recent Purchases
The new tender comes after the government recently acknowledged prolonged electricity outages and linked part of the power sector’s difficulties to shortages of LNG required for generation.
Pakistan did not make any spot LNG purchases during August. During the month, only one cargo arrived under the country’s long-term agreement with Qatar.
In comparison, PLL procured five spot LNG cargoes in July, while no LNG shipment was received from Qatar under the government-to-government arrangement during that month.
The latest procurement is intended to strengthen gas availability and support power generation as the country continues to manage electricity supply challenges.
