Another diesel-laden tanker has arrived at Chattogram Port, bringing a fresh supply of fuel as the government continues efforts to maintain stable energy reserves amid global uncertainty.
The vessel, Lian Huan Hu, carrying 27,050 metric tonnes of diesel from Singapore, reached the port’s Dolphin Jetty on Tuesday night.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Senior General Manager Md Yusuf Hossain Bhuiyan confirmed the arrival of the tanker on Wednesday.
According to BPC, the imported diesel will be distributed to the storage depots of the country’s three state-owned marketing companies - Padma Oil Company, Meghna Petroleum and Jamuna Oil Company - before being supplied to different parts of the country.
The latest shipment follows the arrival of another diesel tanker earlier this week. On Monday, the vessel, Xiu Chi, docked at Chattogram Port carrying 27,024 metric tonnes of diesel, also from Singapore.
Authorities have stepped up fuel imports amid growing concerns over global energy markets triggered by the escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Iran. The situation has raised fears of potential supply disruptions and possible fuel price increases worldwide.
Officials said the government is closely monitoring the energy situation and taking precautionary steps to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply. Although several vessels carrying LNG and LPG have already entered the country through the Strait of Hormuz, only two diesel tankers have reached Bangladesh so far.
More shipments are expected in the coming days. The tanker, SPT Themis, is scheduled to arrive on Thursday carrying 30,484 metric tonnes of diesel, while Raffles Samurai is expected on Saturday with a similar cargo.
Another vessel, Chang Hang Hong Two, is set to dock on 15 March with around 30,000 metric tonnes of diesel.
Together, the five incoming shipments from various Asian countries are expected to supply around 1,44,205 metric tonnes of refined diesel, helping ease supply concerns.
Data from the current fiscal year shows that Bangladesh imported 23,28,000 metric tonnes of diesel between July and February from nine countries, with nearly 78 per cent of the total coming from Singapore, Malaysia and India.
