LNG supply faces fresh setback
Bangladesh is facing renewed uncertainty over LNG supplies as QatarEnergy has extended force majeure on deliveries to the country beyond September, adding to pressure on the energy sector at a time when the country remains heavily dependent on imported gas to meet domestic demand.
QatarEnergy’s decision, driven by continuing restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid security concerns, is likely to further complicate Bangladesh’s efforts to secure adequate LNG supplies as it grapples with an ongoing energy crunch, according to reports by Bloomberg and Reuters.
Bloomberg reported that QatarEnergy had notified Pakistani buyers that
LNG cargo cancellations would continue into October, while supplies to Bangladesh would remain suspended beyond September. Other European buyers have also reportedly received similar notices.
Italian utility Edison confirmed that QatarEnergy had extended the suspension of its LNG deliveries until early November.
“QatarEnergy has informed Edison that it will not be able to deliver an additional five LNG cargoes scheduled for the Adriatic LNG receiving terminal in Italy.
This will effectively extend the overall force majeure period from beginning of April to early November 2026,” Edison said in a press release.
The move brings the total number of affected cargoes to 29, Edison said. The company added that it had secured alternative supplies to meet its commitments.
Qatari LNG exports remain constrained
The latest extensions come as Qatar’s LNG exports remain severely constrained by disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.
QatarEnergy initially suspended LNG operations and declared force majeure on 4 March following the outbreak of the war between the US and Iran and subsequent disruptions to shipping through the strategic waterway.
Missile strikes on QatarEnergy’s Ras Laffan facilities in March also damaged infrastructure and affected export capacity.
QatarEnergy President and CEO and Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said the Iranian missile strikes on Ras Laffan had reduced Qatar’s LNG export capacity by 17%.
In July, the Qatari LNG tanker Al Rekayyat was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar blamed Iran for the incident.
The vessel was struck on its port side, although its crew was safely evacuated.
Bangladesh faces added supply pressure
The prolonged disruption comes at a difficult time for Bangladesh, where LNG imports are crucial to maintaining gas supplies to power plants, industries and other major consumers.
Any prolonged reduction in Qatari cargoes could therefore put additional pressure on Bangladesh’s gas supply and increase the need to source LNG from alternative suppliers at potentially higher prices.
Reuters has reported that Qatar’s LNG shipments have fallen sharply amid the prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
For Bangladesh, which relies on imported LNG to supplement domestic gas production, the uncertainty underscores the vulnerability of its energy supply chain to disruptions in international shipping and geopolitical tensions.
The extension of QatarEnergy’s force majeure also highlights the importance of securing alternative LNG sources and strengthening the country’s capacity to manage supply disruptions as the energy crunch continues.
