Pakistan to Divert 24-29 Surplus LNG Cargoes from Qatar under NPD Arrangement for FY26

Background of Pakistan’s LNG Procurement and Surplus Challenges

Pakistan imports liquefied natural gas (LNG) through long-term agreements, primarily with Qatar and Eni, to meet its energy demands. As of the recent fiscal years, the country receives nine monthly LNG cargoes from Qatar, supplemented by one cargo from Eni under separate contracts. However, over the past decade and particularly in the recent years leading up to FY26, Pakistan’s gas demand has shown a notable decline. This has been largely driven by reduced consumption from power generation sectors, which has resulted in an accumulation of surplus LNG cargoes.

This surplus has put excess strain on storage facilities and created financial burdens for major gas distributors in Pakistan, including Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL). To address this imbalance, Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) and Eni have previously sold off surplus cargoes using a Net Proceed Differential (NPD) pricing mechanism. Additionally, some Qatari cargoes were deferred through negotiations involving the Petroleum Division and Pakistan State Oil (PSO).

Developments Toward Diverting Surplus LNG Cargoes for FY26

Looking forward to the fiscal year 2026 and beyond, projections indicate that declining LNG demand may continue, potentially resulting in an additional 177 surplus cargoes over the period from mid-2025 to late 2031. This analysis equates to roughly 24 surplus cargoes per year. In response, Pakistani authorities and state-affiliated energy companies have sought to engage with Qatar Energy to develop flexible solutions for managing surpluses, including the reduction, rescheduling, or alternative usage of LNG volumes committed under contracts.

Discussions authorized by Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) outlined several potential options for handling surplus LNG cargoes. These included:

• Mutual cancellation of surplus cargoes without compensation;

• Deferring cargoes now and recovering volumes after 2031 by extending contract durations;

• Applying the NPD mechanism for surplus cargoes during the remaining contract period, pending specific regulatory guidelines;

• Contract amendments permitting re-export or business-to-business (B2B) sales of LNG sourced from Qatar.

Negotiation Process and Agreement Outcome

A high-level delegation comprising key Pakistani officials and representatives from PSO, SNGPL, and the Attorney General’s office visited Doha for negotiations with Qatar Energy. Subsequent detailed consultations in Islamabad yielded agreement that the NPD arrangement should be applied initially for the year 2026. Specifically, Qatar Energy agreed to allow the diversion of 24 surplus cargoes for NPD pricing, equivalent to approximately two cargoes per month, with discussions to continue for a more sustainable long-term resolution.

In parallel, Pakistan has similarly placed 21 surplus cargoes sourced from Eni on NPD terms for 2026 and 2027. This strategy highlights the country’s pragmatic approach toward balancing contracted LNG supplies with demand fluctuations, aiming to ease storage pressures and financial liabilities faced by national gas entities.

Impact on Freight Carriers and Logistics Operations

These developments have meaningful implications for freight carriers and the broader logistics sector involved in LNG transportation and energy supply chain management. By adopting the NPD mechanism and enabling cargo diversion, cargo flow volumes may fluctuate more dynamically, requiring flexible container and bulk tanker freight services capable of adjusting routes, scheduling, and capacity.

Logistics operators who specialize in container freight, container trucking, and bulk LNG transportation will need to anticipate these market shifts, optimizing haulage resources to handle changing shipment volumes effectively. Minimizing idle capacity and transit delays will be crucial to maintain profitability amid potentially volatile demand patterns.

Statistical Snapshot of LNG Supply-Demand Dynamics

Metric	Value	Period
Monthly LNG Cargoes from Qatar	9	Current
Surplus LNG Cargoes Projected per Year	24-29	FY 2026
Total Surplus Cargoes Forecast (2025-2031)	~177	July 2025 - Dec 2031
Surplus Cargoes Diverted under NPD	24 (agreement with Qatar); 21 (Eni cargoes)	FY 2026 and 2027

Role of Platforms like GetTransport in the Current Scenario

Given these shifting dynamics in LNG cargo shipments, logistics and freight forwarding platforms play an increasingly vital role. The global marketplace GetTransport.com offers transport providers a flexible, technology-driven interface to discover and select the most profitable cargo orders. This approach empowers freight carriers to adapt swiftly to fluctuating container freight and haulage demands related to energy shipments without undue reliance on fixed corporate contracts or policies.

By facilitating access to an extensive range of cargo transport requests, including large, bulky LNG containers and related freight, GetTransport.com supports carriers in optimizing their routing, tonnage, and income potential. This efficiency reduces downtime and better aligns transport capacity with evolving shipment patterns arising from surplus management strategies such as the NPD agreement with Qatar.

Advantages of Using GetTransport.com for Freight Carriers

• Access to verified global container freight requests

• Capability to transport diverse cargo types—from furniture and vehicles to large industrial shipments

• Competitive pricing and flexible contract arrangements

• Ease of managing shipments and delivery schedules using a centralized platform

Staying Informed on Logistics Trends and Market Changes

GetTransport.com continuously monitors international logistics, trade, and transportation trends, ensuring its users receive timely updates on market shifts. This real-time insight allows freight operators to pivot their operations proactively, maintaining competitiveness in a global freight forwarding landscape that is subject to fluctuating energy trade flows and evolving contractual frameworks.

Conclusion

The approved plan to divert 24–29 surplus LNG cargoes from Qatar under the NPD arrangement for FY26 reflects Pakistan’s strategic response to shrinking domestic LNG demand and growing storage challenges. This policy supports easing financial pressures on key gas distributors by allowing flexibility in LNG imports while encouraging continued dialogue for longer-term solutions.

For freight carriers and logistics providers, these changes necessitate adaptability in container trucking, shipment forwarding, and haulage planning. Platforms like GetTransport.com enable carriers to meet these demands efficiently by offering access to varied cargo transportation opportunities at competitive prices.

Even the most thorough reviews cannot replace personal experience when selecting logistics services. By leveraging the transparent, user-friendly environment of GetTransport.com, carriers can explore extensive, verified transport requests worldwide, ensuring informed decision-making without incurring unnecessary risks or costs. This enhances convenience, affordability, and choice for logistics stakeholders, directly aligning with the current energy shipment dynamics worldwide. Join GetTransport.com and start receiving verified container freight requests worldwide.

Looking ahead, while the direct global impact of this diversion plan may be moderate, it remains an important regional factor influencing LNG freight trends. By staying ahead of such developments, GetTransport.com helps carriers and shippers navigate complexities and seize profitable opportunities in a fast-evolving international logistics environment. Start planning your next delivery and secure your cargo with GetTransport.com.

In summary, Pakistan’s NPD cargo diversion for FY26 illustrates the interplay of energy market dynamics and logistics, demonstrating how supply-demand imbalances translate into shifting freight requirements. The strategic adaptation of LNG imports not only mitigates surplus but also drives the need for agile container freight and haulage solutions supported by innovative platforms like GetTransport.com. Such developments underscore the importance of reliable, flexible logistics services in managing international shipments, shipments scheduling, forwarding, and distribution within the global energy supply chain.