Bangladesh to Buy 18 More LNG Cargoes Without Tender

The government has decided to purchase 18 more cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) without a tender to meet urgent demand amid the ongoing war in West Asia. The decision comes as imported gas supplies and reserves have declined. The proposal received in-principle approval at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday (September 9).

According to a notification from the Ministry of Finance, the meeting also approved in principle the purchase of additional LNG cargoes, if necessary, with the consent of both parties—the government and TotalEnergies. In-principle approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is required for direct purchases without a tender.

Earlier in August, the government decided in two separate steps to import 22 LNG cargoes without a tender. On August 19, it decided to purchase two LNG cargoes each from seven companies, making a total of 14 cargoes. Before that, on August 6, the government decided to purchase eight LNG cargoes through the same process. It also decided to import 5,000 tonnes of LPG to meet the country’s “emergency” LPG demand and ensure market “stability.”