Bangladesh’s fuel reserves have received a significant boost with the arrival of two diesel-laden vessels at Chattogram Port, carrying a combined 53,600 tonnes of fuel from China and India.
According to port and shipping sources, the imported diesel is expected to meet the country’s demand for approximately four days. Bangladesh’s daily diesel consumption is estimated at around 12,500 tonnes, making the newly arrived supply a crucial addition to ongoing fuel distribution efforts.
The first shipment arrived on Friday afternoon aboard the Liberia-flagged vessel Lila Kingston, which transported 19,000 tonnes of diesel from China. The ship anchored at the outer anchorage of the port at around 3pm.
The second vessel, PVT Solana, sailing under the Panama flag, reached the Kutubdia anchorage early Saturday. It carried a larger consignment of 34,600 tonnes of diesel sourced from India.
Nazrul Islam, managing director of Pride Shipping Line, the local agent handling the vessels, said that unloading operations are currently underway. Two ships are discharging fuel at the port’s Dolphin Jetty, while additional vessels remain in queue at the outer anchorage.
He further noted that lightering operations - where fuel is transferred from large vessels to smaller ones for transport - are also in progress from another ship.
With the arrival of these two vessels, the number of fuel-carrying ships present at the port has risen to seven. Despite ongoing logistical challenges, port authorities are working to ensure efficient handling and distribution of diesel to maintain steady supply across the country.
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