Pakistan Seeks Two Winter LNG Cargoes at $100m Each
Pakistan winter LNG cargoes are back on the market, with state-owned Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) seeking two shipments for December 2026 and January 2027. Each cargo is estimated to cost around $100 million at current market prices, which puts the total bill for the two shipments at about $200 million.
PLL invited bids from international suppliers for the two cargoes. The tender covers delivery on a Delivered Ex-Ship (DES) basis at Port Qasim in Karachi. Under a DES deal, the seller bears the cost and risk of delivering the cargo to the port, and the buyer takes over from there.
The first shipment is scheduled for delivery between December 14 and 16, 2026. The second is expected between January 9 and 11, 2027. Each cargo will carry 140,000 cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, with a tolerance of plus or minus 5 per cent. The procurement is listed under tender number PLL/IMP/LNGT80.
Why Pakistan needs winter LNG cargoes now
Winter is the hardest season for Pakistan’s gas system. Household heating demand rises, while domestic gas supply stays tight. Power plants, industry and homes all compete for the same gas, and the shortfall shows up first in homes, where winter gas timings are already limited.
That context explains the timing of the tender. PLL is buying now for December and January, rather than waiting until the cold arrives. Spot LNG prices are near their highest levels since 2022, according to the report, so the timing also carries a price risk. If spot prices rise further, the final cost of the two cargoes could exceed the $200 million estimate. If prices ease, the cost could fall.
The tender notice sets out the quantities and delivery windows, but it does not disclose a final purchase price. That price will depend on the bids suppliers submit and the terms PLL accepts. Readers should therefore treat the $100 million figure as an estimate at current prices, not as a signed contract value.
Pakistan has two LNG import terminals at Port Qasim. Cargoes delivered there are regasified and fed into the national gas network. From there, gas reaches power plants, industry and city distribution companies, which in turn supply homes and businesses.
What winter gas looks like for households
For households, the winter LNG purchase sits alongside winter gas schedules already announced for this season. Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has set three daily cooking-time slots for domestic consumers in Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Those slots run from 6:30am to 9:00am, 12 noon to 2:30pm, and 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
In Sindh and Balochistan, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has announced its own winter gas schedule. The two schedules differ by region, because the two companies serve different parts of the country. A household in Lahore therefore faces a different winter gas routine from a household in Karachi, even though both depend on the same national gas system.
The LNG tender does not, by itself, change those household timings. It secures supply for the system as a whole. Whether a household feels the benefit depends on how the gas is allocated between power, industry and domestic consumers, and on how distribution companies manage pressure during peak hours.
Winter gas planning also links to fuel prices. Petrol now costs Rs369.06 per litre after the latest cut, and diesel costs Rs391.52 per litre, under rates effective from November 4, 2026. Those fuel prices affect transport and power costs, which in turn affect household budgets through the winter.
Feature Pakistan reported on the winter gas timings in SNGPL Winter Gas Timings for Islamabad, Punjab and KP and SSGC Gas Schedule for Sindh, Balochistan Winter. The fuel price cut was covered in Petrol Price Cut to Rs369.06 for November 4.
ProPakistani reported the LNG tender on November 4, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many winter LNG cargoes is Pakistan seeking?
Two cargoes, one for December 2026 and one for January 2027, each of 140,000 cubic metres.
What will the winter LNG cargoes cost?
About $100 million each at current market prices, or about $200 million in total. The final price will depend on supplier bids.
When will the cargoes arrive?
The first is scheduled for December 14 to 16, 2026, and the second for January 9 to 11, 2027, both at Port Qasim in Karachi.
What does Delivered Ex-Ship mean?
It means the seller delivers the cargo to the port and bears the cost and risk of that delivery, with the buyer taking over from there.
What is the tender number?
The procurement is listed under tender number PLL/IMP/LNGT80, issued by Pakistan LNG Limited.
Will the LNG cargoes change household gas timings?
Not directly. They secure supply for the national system, while household timings are set separately by SNGPL and SSGC for their regions.
