The first tanker carrying diesel since the outbreak of the Iran war reached Chattogram Port on Monday morning, bringing relief amid rising fears of fuel shortages across Bangladesh.
The vessel, Xiu Chi, transported 27,204 tonnes of diesel from Singapore and is currently anchored near Kutubdia, according to MarineTraffic and port sources.
Shipping agents confirmed that four additional tankers are scheduled to arrive within the week.
Among them, Lian Huan Hu, also from Singapore, is expected on Monday night with nearly 30,000 tonnes of diesel, while SPT Themis will arrive on Thursday carrying 30,484 tonnes. Two more vessels, Raffles Samurai and Chang Hang Hong Tu, are due next Saturday, each carrying about 30,000 tonnes. In total, the five tankers will bring approximately 1,47,205 tonnes of diesel from Asia, according to port and shipping officials.
The arrivals come as panic buying and increased domestic demand have strained diesel supplies. To manage reserves, the government has temporarily reduced the daily diesel distribution from 12,000 to 9,000 tonnes.
Analysts estimate that the incoming shipments, combined with existing stockpiles, could cover nearly a month of the country’s diesel needs.
Nazrul Islam, managing director of Pride Shipping Lines, the local agent for the four incoming tankers, said, “Once the vessels reach port waters, unloading will begin sequentially, ensuring continuous supply to meet demand.”
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation data indicates that diesel accounts for about 70 per cent of total fuel consumption, with most supplies imported directly. Between July and February this fiscal year, Bangladesh imported 2.328 million tonnes of diesel from nine countries, primarily Singapore, Malaysia and India, with no shipments from Middle Eastern nations during this period.
The government’s accelerated import efforts highlight the importance of maintaining energy security amid geopolitical tensions and rising domestic consumption.
