Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS) - A shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported from the international spot market has arrived in Bangladesh to ensure normal gas supply to the country's industries and power plants.

The cargo, supplied by Singapore-based BP Singapore Private Limited, reached the floating terminal of Accelerate Energy Limited in Maheshkhali, Cox's Bazar, on December 28, 2025. The government spent Taka 490 crore to import this shipment.

Engineer Muhammad Nasir Uddin, Deputy General Manager (LNG) of Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL), confirmed the arrival, adding that the imported LNG would help meet the natural gas shortage for the current month.

According to a summary from the Advisory Council Committee on Government Procurement, the total cost of the shipment, including VAT and taxes, is Taka 489.88 crore. This marks the 49th LNG cargo imported from the spot market in 2025.

Engineer KM Zahirul Islam, another Deputy General Manager of RPGCL, said this was the last LNG shipment of the year. LNG imports will continue in 2026 according to the new targets.

He noted that the government imports LNG from the international spot market to maintain stable gas supply for the country's industrial and power sectors. On average, 8-9 cargoes of LNG are imported each month to meet domestic demand.

Tender and cost analysis - The Energy Department's summary sent to the Purchase Committee revealed that, after inviting international quotations on November 10, 2025, four global companies under the Master Sale and Purchase Agreement (MSPA) submitted proposals. BP Singapore Private Limited was selected as the lowest bidder, quoting US$ 11.64 per MMBTU.

The total volume of the shipment was 33.60 lakh MMBTU, with an original cost of 39.114 million US dollars. Based on the exchange rate on November 16, 2025 (1 USD = Tk 122.80), the cost in Bangladeshi currency is Tk 480.27 crore. After including a two percent advance income tax (AIT), the final cost reached around Tk 490 crore.

Energy Department sources said the price aligns with the current international JKM LNG index. Compared to the 46th, 47th, and 48th cargoes imported earlier, this shipment saved US$ 0.21, 0.24, and 0.33 per MMBTU, respectively.

BP Singapore Private Limited, a major global energy company with total assets of US$ 15.95 billion as of 2023, supplied LNG to Bangladesh for the first time. Petrobangla confirmed that the company has the capacity to finance this import independently.

Currently, Bangladesh imports 56 LNG cargoes annually under long-term agreements with Qatar and Oman. Additional LNG from the spot market is imported to meet growing domestic demand and support industrial production.