Bangladesh has approved the purchase of two LNG cargoes from the spot market at a combined cost of Tk 1,437.55 crore as the government seeks to maintain natural gas supplies for the country’s power and industrial sectors amid continued uncertainty in global energy markets.
The approval was granted on Wednesday by the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP), chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. The proposal, submitted by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division under Rule 105(3)(a) of the Public Procurement Rules, 2025, was processed through the international quotation method.
Under the decision, one liquefied natural gas cargo will be purchased from BP Singapore Pte Ltd, while the second will be sourced from TotalEnergies Gas & Power Ltd of the United Kingdom. Cabinet Division documents show the two cargoes will cost the government approximately Tk 14.09 billion.
Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani told reporters after the meeting that the Energy Division had initially sought approval to procure three LNG cargoes. However, the committee decided to authorise only two purchases for now while continuing to monitor international market conditions.
He said global LNG prices have been easing as tensions in the Middle East have moderated, prompting the government to adopt a cautious approach before committing to additional spot purchases.
Despite the recent decline in prices, Nasimul Ghani said Bangladesh continues to face challenges in securing LNG supplies because of the ongoing situation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. According to the Cabinet Secretary, disruptions have occurred after some long-term LNG and energy suppliers invoked force majeure clauses, affecting contracted deliveries.
The supply constraints have increased Bangladesh’s dependence on the spot market to secure LNG and other petroleum products needed to meet domestic energy demand. Spot purchases have become increasingly important in ensuring uninterrupted fuel supplies for gas-fired electricity generation and industrial consumers as the country works to strengthen energy security.
Alongside the LNG procurement, the committee approved several fertiliser imports to support agricultural production. It cleared the direct purchase of 50,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser from Delta Star Trading of the United Arab Emirates at a cost of Tk 3.485 billion, with each tonne priced at US$707.
The committee also approved the import of 25,000 tonnes of bulk granular urea fertiliser for Tk 1.85 billion at a unit price of US$600 per tonne. In addition, it authorised the purchase of 15,000 tonnes of crude rock sulphur at a cost of Tk 1.71 billion.
The latest procurement decisions underline the government’s continued focus on safeguarding fuel and agricultural input supplies while balancing procurement costs against changing conditions in international energy markets.
