The government has intensified monitoring, security and import measures to maintain a stable fuel supply across the country amid rising public anxiety and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Authorities on Monday announced a series of steps, including priority berthing for fuel-carrying ships at Chattogram Port, deployment of security forces at major oil depots, nationwide mobile court drives to prevent hoarding, and plans to increase diesel imports from India and Brunei.
Priority berthing for fuel ships
At least 14 fuel-carrying vessels are currently waiting at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port and are expected to dock soon.
The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has decided to grant priority berthing to these ships to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for both government and private sector operations.
Among them are five LNG carriers and two LPG vessels arriving from Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, along with ships carrying diesel and furnace oil from Singapore and Malaysia.
The decision was taken during a coordination meeting chaired by CPA Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, officials said.
CPA Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said the initiative aims to maintain smooth fuel supply and ensure an uninterrupted logistics chain. Officials also noted that most marine fuel used at the port originates from Singapore and Malaysia, limiting the direct impact of Middle East tensions.
Diesel shipments arrive
On Monday morning, the Singapore-flagged vessel MT Xiu Chi arrived at Chattogram Port carrying 27,204 tonnes of diesel. Unloading of the cargo has already begun.
Another vessel, MT Lian Huan Hu, carrying 27,000 tonnes of diesel, is scheduled to berth at the Dolphin Jetty later tonight.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku said the arrival of the two vessels will strengthen the country’s fuel reserves.
Mobile courts to prevent hoarding
The Cabinet Division has instructed district administrations across the country to conduct mobile court drives to prevent artificial shortages, illegal stockpiling and overpricing of petroleum products.
A directive signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Nahida Akter Tania has been sent to all Deputy Commissioners, asking them to intensify market monitoring following a request from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.
Security forces have been deployed at key oil depots across the country, including Patenga, Daulatpur, Baghabari, Godnail, Fatullah, Parbatipur and Barishal, to safeguard critical fuel installations amid heightened demand from dealers.
Panic buying in the capital Despite government assurances that fuel reserves remain adequate, long queues were reported at several petrol stations in Dhaka, including Shahbagh, Malibagh, Kalyanpur, Shyamoli, Asad Gate and Paribagh.
Some stations temporarily halted sales after exhausting their daily allocations due to surging demand.
Officials said the situation reflects public anxiety rather than a genuine supply crisis.
Increased diesel imports
To strengthen fuel availability, the government is considering increasing diesel imports from India.
Currently, Bangladesh imports around 5,000 tonnes of diesel per month through the Numaligarh Refinery (NRL) pipeline in Assam, which transports fuel from India’s Siliguri depot to Parbatipur in Bangladesh.
Under a 2017 agreement between Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and NRL, Bangladesh can import up to 1.80 lakh tonnes of diesel in 2026.
Officials are now considering importing an additional 50,000 tonnes from NRL this year. Senior officials have already held discussions with representatives of the Indian Embassy.
Bangladesh also plans to import 1.20 lakh tonnes of diesel from Brunei as part of efforts to diversify fuel supply sources.
Monitoring and conservation measures
Authorities have intensified monitoring at fuel stations across the country. Additionally, a central and regional monitoring and control cell has been established to oversee fuel supply and handle complaints.
Mobile court inspections in Dhaka found most stations operating normally.
Electricity conservation drives will also be conducted in several areas of the capital during evening hours to reduce energy consumption.
Officials emphasised that the country’s fuel supply remains stable and that the precautionary measures are intended to ensure uninterrupted supply and maintain market discipline.
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