Pakistan has moved to buy two spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes for the peak winter months, with Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) issuing tenders on Wednesday 4 November 2026 after approval from the prime minister, reports say. The tenders seek one cargo for delivery on 14-16 December and another for 9-11 January, on a delivered ex-ship basis at Port Qasim, Karachi.

What the tenders ask for

Each shipment will contain approximately 140,000 cubic metres of LNG, with a tolerance of plus or minus 5%, TechJuice reports. International LNG trading companies have been asked to submit bids by Friday 6 November, with bids to be opened the same day, and PLL will award contracts after technical and commercial evaluation but reserves the right to reject all bids, Exclusive Waves reports. At current market prices each cargo is estimated to cost around 100 million dollars, putting the two shipments at around 200 million dollars combined, though the final amount will depend on the bids submitted and the agreed terms.

Why Pakistan is buying spot cargoes

Pakistan's LNG requirement stands at nine cargoes for December and 11 for January, reflecting heightened winter demand, Exclusive Waves reports. Spot LNG prices are approaching their highest levels since 2022, with delivered prices expected to reach 33.50 to 34 dollars per million British thermal units, against around 32 dollars in recent trading. The supply situation has become more uncertain amid security risks in the Strait of Hormuz, including reported attacks on Pakistan-bound and Bangladesh-bound LNG vessels before they entered the strait, and the National Crisis Management Centre remains in contact with Iran to secure three to four LNG cargoes each for December and January. These are tender and estimate figures, not final purchase prices, and the outcome depends on the bidding process.

Sources: TechJuice, Pakistan seeks two winter LNG cargoes worth 200 million dollars, 4 November 2026; Exclusive Waves, Pakistan seeks spot LNG cargoes for December, January amid high prices, 4 November 2026.