A total of 15 cargo ships carrying LNG, LPG and fuel oil have arrived at Chattogram Port after safely crossing the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over Bangladesh’s energy supply amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Port authorities said on Saturday that the vessels carried nearly 250,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), fuel oil and industrial raw materials from several Middle Eastern ports.
According to officials, unloading operations are currently underway at the country’s main seaport.
Four of the ships are transporting about 247,000 tonnes of LNG, mainly imported from Ras Laffan Port in Qatar, one of the world’s largest LNG export terminals. The gas will be used to support Bangladesh’s electricity generation and industrial energy demand.
Another vessel delivered liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is widely used for household cooking, restaurants and small industries across the country.
Several other ships have brought furnace oil for power plants, diesel for industrial operations and other petroleum products, according to port sources.
In addition to energy supplies, some cargo vessels are carrying industrial raw materials, including chemicals, petrochemicals and materials used in the plastic manufacturing sector.
Port officials said the shipments are particularly significant because the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime corridor for global energy trade, has been facing growing uncertainty due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Any disruption in shipping through the strait could have serious implications for global energy markets and supply chains, they noted.
The safe arrival of the vessels in Bangladesh before tensions intensified in the region has provided reassurance for the country’s energy and industrial supply systems.
Syed Refaet Hamim, secretary of the Chattogram Port Authority, said the ships had crossed the Strait of Hormuz before the latest escalation in the Middle East conflict and have now begun arriving at the port.
Among the vessels are LNG tankers Lusail and Al Galael, which are delivering fuel and raw materials required by industries and marine operations.
The shipments include supplies used in the plastic, petrochemical, garment and chemical industries, which are critical sectors for Bangladesh’s manufacturing economy.
Meanwhile, Md Nurul Alam, senior deputy general manager of Uni Global Business Limited, said four additional ships are expected to reach Chattogram Port soon.
Most of the vessels have already arrived, while the remaining ships will reach the port in stages, he said.
Officials added that the timely arrival of the shipments has helped ease concerns over energy imports and industrial supply chains as regional tensions continue to affect global shipping routes.
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