In a bid to meet the country’s growing energy demand and ensure stability in gas supply, the government has approved the import of two cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the international spot market, at a combined cost exceeding Tk 1,035 crore.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase, held Wednesday at the Bangladesh Secretariat and chaired by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed.
As per the approved proposals submitted by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Petrobangla will purchase one cargo of LNG from GunvorSingapore Pte Ltd. at an estimated cost of Tk 513.45 crore.
Another cargo will be imported from Vitol Asia Pte Ltd., Singapore, at a cost of around Tk 522.27 crore. Both procurement will be executed through the international quotation method under the existing spot market procurement framework.
Officials stated that the move is part of the government’s ongoing strategy to ensure a reliable supply of LNG to supplement domestic gas production and meet rising industrial and residential demand.
Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed told reporters after the meeting that these approvals reflect the government’s efforts to strengthen energy security and manage import diversification during a period of volatile global energy prices.
In recent months, Bangladesh has increasingly turned to the spot market for LNG purchases amid growing domestic gas shortages and rising demand from key sectors including power, manufacturing, and fertiliser production. Officials indicated that further LNG imports may be considered if demand pressures persist or global prices stabilize.
The two LNG cargoes are expected to be delivered in the coming weeks and will be regasified through the country’s floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) before being injected into the national gas grid.