Despite significant disruptions in global fuel supply chains caused by the ongoing war on Iran and the near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply remains stable, officials have said.
Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL) has assured that there is no shortage of LNG in the country, despite the current standoff. Around 15,000 million cubic feet of LNG, transported by five vessels bound for Qatar, remain stranded due to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.
To mitigate the disruption, the government has intensified LNG imports from alternative sources on the spot market. RPGCL officials highlighted that this strategy has prevented any major supply crises from arising.
Typically, Bangladesh imports between eight to 10 LNG cargoes each month. In March, however, eight vessels docked, delivering a total of 24,000 million cubic feet of LNG. Each vessel carried an average of 3,000 million cubic feet.
According to Chattogram Port data, the final LNG shipment of the month arrived on 27 March, with another scheduled for 4 April. These shipments originated from countries including Qatar, the United States, Indonesia, and Australia. RPGCL noted that LNG is being imported at relatively higher prices due to the ongoing global tensions.
Looking ahead, Petrobangla has already secured seven LNG cargoes for April. These shipments, expected from various countries including Nigeria, will bring an additional 21,000 million cubic feet of LNG into Bangladesh.
Mohammad Shaifullah Kabir, deputy general manager (LNG) of RPGCL, told TIMES of Bangladesh that despite the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, LNG imports continue uninterrupted from alternative sources.
He confirmed that the country’s two LNG terminals at Moheshkhali are maintaining normal supply levels, with around 850 million cubic feet of LNG being delivered daily to the national grid, including on 30 March.
“The supply has been steady at 850 million cubic feet per day despite the ongoing crisis, and this will continue in April as well,” Kabir added.
Industry insiders say that although the ongoing fuel oil crisis has created challenges, gas supply has not yet been affected. “We are receiving gas as usual,” said BGMEA Director Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, noting however that fuel shortages are impacting garment production.
Sakeef Ahmed Salam, a director of BGMEA, said that gas supply remains normal, but they are unable to increase capacity. “Without expanding capacity and boosting production, it is not possible to reduce production costs.”
While the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led to the delay of five Qatar-bound LNG cargoes, RPGCL assures the public that the continued import of LNG from other sources will keep the supply stable.
Bangladesh relies heavily on LNG imports to meet domestic demand, with cargoes unloaded through two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) located off Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar.
One terminal is operated by US-based Excelerate Energy, while the other is run by Summit Group. Together, they have a combined regasification capacity of nearly1,100 million cubic feet per day, typically supplying 800-850 million cubic feet to the national grid.
Since 2018, Petrobangla has been importing LNG primarily from Qatar and Oman, along with occasional shipments from Malaysia and other countries. Annually, Bangladesh imports around 100 to 115 LNG cargoes.
In Chattogram, where over 3,000 industrial units – including around 1,200 heavy industries –depend entirely on imported LNG, gas supply remains stable. The city’s daily gas demand ranges between 312 and 350 million cubic feet.
Currently, about 206 million cubic feet of gas is being supplied, as two major fertiliser plants – CUFL and KAFCO – remain shut under a government decision, reducing overall demand.
Officials from Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited said supply is being maintained in line with demand. On 30 March, the company received 206 million cubic feet of LNG from the national grid.
