By Stephen Stapczynski
June 29, 2026 (Bloomberg) – Pakistan is looking to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) for delivery this week. This comes after a series of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz that have affected the flow of this super-chilled fuel.
State-owned Pakistan LNG issued a tender over the weekend to acquire a shipment for delivery between June 30 and July 4, with bids due by Monday, according to a document on its website.
This quick request for purchase highlights the uncertainty buyers face regarding shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for about 20% of the world's LNG. Pakistan has been dealing with an energy shortage since the conflict disrupted supplies from its main supplier, Qatar, which has led to buying more expensive fuel from the spot market in recent months.
On Saturday, a ship carrying Qatari oil was attacked in the strait, just days after another vessel flagged in Singapore was also targeted. In response to these incidents, the Joint Maritime Information Center, which collaborates with naval and merchant shipping operations, raised its threat level in the region to substantial.
According to ship-tracking data, LNG carriers moving in and out of the waterway have paused since those attacks. This includes an empty LNG tanker that was heading into the Persian Gulf but turned back on Friday and has stayed in the Gulf of Oman.
It is not certain that Pakistan will proceed with the purchase, as the country often cancels tenders if a delivery from Qatar becomes available or if prices are too high.