Bangladesh currently has sufficient reserves of fuel oil, and additional supplies are on the way, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division said on Monday.
Joint Secretary Monir Hossain Chowdhury told a briefing at the Secretariat that there is no cause for public concern over fuel oil availability despite the ongoing Middle East conflict.
“The country has ample fuel reserves, and ongoing import arrangements will ensure uninterrupted supply,” he said.
At present, Bangladesh has 1.33 lakh tonnes of diesel in storage, with another 54,600 tonnes expected to arrive by Friday. In April, a further 1.54 lakh tonnes of fuel oil will be imported from Malaysia and other countries.
In addition, arrangements are underway to import six lakh tonnes of diesel from Russia over two months, with a petition submitted to the US for a sanction waiver. So far, authorities have imported 22,000 tonnes of diesel from India, and further shipments are planned from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Nigeria and the United States.
Monir Hossain Chowdhury highlighted that Iran has allowed Bangladesh-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has effectively controlled amid the war. However, some shipments not carried by Bangladeshi vessels could face minor delays.
As a precaution, the government is emphasising energy conservation at both individual and institutional levels. Priority has also been given to the agriculture sector, with agricultural officers and upazila nirbahi officers (UNO) instructed to ensure smooth fuel supply for farming activities.
