Liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports more than doubled in April from March, while the per-ton assessment value declined, offering partial relief to Bangladesh’s import costs despite higher volumes.
National Board of Revenue (NBR) data showed imports reached 8,05,584 tonnes in April under HS code 27111100, with a total assessment value exceeding Tk51,925 crore, against 3,73,751 tonnes worth Tk26,588 crore in March.
The assessment value per tonne fell to about Tk64,500 in April from around Tk71,100 in March, a drop of roughly Tk6,000 to Tk7,000, reflecting easing prices in the global market.
In January, imports stood at 4,31,193 tonnes valued at Tk29,160 crore, with a per-ton rate of about Tk67,600, indicating an overall decline of around Tk3,000 between January and April.
February recorded the highest monthly volume at 9,32,838 tonnes, but prices remained elevated through March before declining in April, signalling a shift in market conditions.
Officials said the assessment value is matched by an equivalent tax figure, effectively doubling the financial impact of imports despite the fall in per-ton prices.
Energy sector officials attributed the trend to global LNG market volatility, where lower prices in April helped contain overall expenditure amid rising import volumes.
Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited Deputy General Manager for LNG Mohammad Shaifullah Kabir said imports increased in April and two additional cargoes are expected in May.
Uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz in March forced Bangladesh to procure LNG from the spot market at higher prices, while easing conditions in April brought some price relief, he said.
According to Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation Petrobangla, more than 70 per cent of LNG imports come from Qatar and Oman under long-term agreements, alongside spot purchases including from the United States.
Petrobangla maintains five long-term contracts and has enlisted 24 companies for spot procurement, with additional supplies sourced from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Nigeria, and Angola.
Sector insiders said disruptions linked to tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States affected the Strait of Hormuz since late February, complicating shipments and raising costs when sourcing from alternative suppliers.
Bangladesh incurred an additional Tk4,000 crore in April due to higher procurement costs from non-traditional sources, they said.
For 2026, Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited plans to import 115 LNG cargoes.
In May, 11 cargoes were scheduled, but five shipments from Qatar and Oman have been cancelled, prompting Petrobangla to rely more on the spot market.
Imported LNG is processed through two floating storage and regasification units near Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar, with a combined daily capacity of about 1,100 million cubic feet.
The terminals typically supply 800 to 850 million cubic feet of gas to the national grid under normal conditions.
