Bangladesh is stepping up its fuel supply chain management, as 19 oil-carrying vessels are scheduled to arrive at Chattogram Port in May, reinforcing efforts to ensure uninterrupted energy availability amid steady domestic demand pressures.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) officials confirmed that 14 oil tankers had already arrived at Chattogram Port by May 15, while five more vessels are expected to dock within the remainder of the month. The shipments form part of a broader import drive aimed at stabilising the country’s fuel stocks, particularly diesel and crude oil, which are critical for power generation and transport.
According to BPC data, the May shipments include 385,000 metric tonnes of diesel, 67,000 tonnes of jet fuel, 26,500 tonnes of octane and 75,000 tonnes of furnace oil. Officials say the scale of imports reflects ongoing efforts to maintain energy security and support electricity supply during periods of rising demand.
Mohammad Zahid Hossain, General Manager of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, said on Friday that import operations were progressing as planned. “We have brought 14 ships carrying oil till May 15 and five other fuel-carrying vessels will anchor at Chattogram Port within this month,” he said.
He added that further supplies have already been lined up. “So far some 16 ships with refined and crude oil have been confirmed for June. The government has been importing refined and crude oil to meet demand. An oil-carrying ship is scheduled to anchor at Chattogram Port today,” he said.
Separately, a vessel named MT Fossil, carrying 100,000 tonnes of crude oil, has departed for Bangladesh and is expected to arrive in Chattogram after setting sail last Monday evening, Bangladesh time. Bangladesh Shipping Corporation Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said the ship is likely to reach the port on May 23 if operations proceed as scheduled.
Earlier in the month, the MT Ninemia arrived at the Qutubdia Channel from Yanbu Port in Saudi Arabia carrying 100,000 tonnes of crude oil. On May 11, two additional fuel tankers carrying a combined 74,000 tonnes of diesel from Malaysia and Singapore reached the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port.
Energy officials note that, based on Bangladesh’s estimated daily diesel consumption of around 12,500 tonnes, recent imports alone are sufficient to cover national demand for more than five days. The continued inflow of shipments is seen as crucial for stabilising fuel availability, particularly as global oil markets remain sensitive to supply chain disruptions, shipping route pressures and fluctuating crude prices linked to geopolitical tensions.
