The government of Bangladesh has approved the emergency purchase of two cargoes of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from the international spot market at a combined expenditure of approximately 1,850.77 crore BDT. The procurement aims to alleviate domestic natural gas shortages, supporting industrial operations, fertilizer factories, and power generation units across the country.
The recommendation was granted on Monday during the 38th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase for 2026. Following a submission by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, the committee sanctioned the purchase via international quotation procedures in accordance with Rule 105(3)(a) of the Public Procurement Rules 2025.
Under the approved terms, Singapore-based trading entity BP Singapore Pte. Limited will deliver both consignments. The first shipment, slated for delivery between 23 and 24 August, was secured at a unit price of 21.878 USD per Million British Thermal Units (MMBtu). Factoring in Advance Income Tax (AIT), the total cost for this initial cargo stands at 927.51 crore BDT (9,27,50,60,833.92 BDT).
The second shipment is scheduled to dock between 4 and 5 September at a rate of 21.778 USD per MMBtu. Including AIT, the overall outlay for the second delivery is calculated at 923.27 crore BDT (9,23,26,66,369.92 BDT). Combined, the total procurement cost for the two shipments reaches 1,850,77,27,203.84 BDT.
The Energy and Mineral Resources Division initially presented a broader proposal to procure five separate LNG cargoes to cover the late August and early September delivery windows. The submission outlined slots for 23–24 August (40th cargo), 26–27 August (41st cargo), 29–30 August (43rd cargo), 1–2 September (44th cargo), and 4–5 September (45th cargo). After reviewing the proposals, the Cabinet Committee elected to give immediate approval to the two specific shipments for 23–24 August and 4–5 September.
Spot-market acquisitions remain an essential tool for Bangladesh’s energy planners, providing the flexibility needed to bridge deficits when long-term supply agreements cannot fully meet peak national consumption. These spot purchases help stabilize the national power grid and prevent widespread disruptions in gas-dependent manufacturing sectors.
