Bangladesh is facing mounting challenges in securing petroleum and gas supplies as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East disrupts regional fuel exports. Despite proactive planning by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), March imports are expected to cover only half of national demand, with a quarter of requirements confirmed so far.
Since the outbreak of hostilities, 25 oil and gas tankers have successfully docked at Chattogram Port, while five more are in the pipeline. Even if all vessels arrive within the next five days, the country will still experience a significant shortfall for March. Existing reserves and alternative imports can provide temporary relief, but shortages are likely to intensify in April and May unless additional shipments are secured.
March Shipments and Pending Deliveries
BPC had initially scheduled 17 vessels carrying diesel and furnace oil this month. Only eight have arrived so far, delivering 200,000 tonnes. An additional three vessels carrying 51,000 tonnes are in transit, but six ships—carrying 150,000 tonnes—remain uncertain. LPG shipments face a similar disruption: five of nine scheduled vessels have arrived, leaving four vessels with approximately 250,000 tonnes in limbo.
| Fuel Type | Scheduled Vessels | Arrived | Pending / Uncertain | Volume (tonnes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel & Furnace Oil | 17 | 8 | 9 | 200,000 + 150,000 |
| LPG | 9 | 5 | 4 | ~250,000 |
| LNG | 7 | 3 | 4 | Uncertain |
| Crude Oil | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| Gas Oil | 6 | 6 | 0 | — |
| HSFO | 3 | 3 | 0 | — |
| Base Oil | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| MEG | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
Mitigation Efforts
To offset the shortfall, BPC has drafted an April import plan. It includes 14 sea-bound vessels and three pipeline parcels, collectively carrying 300,000 tonnes of diesel, 50,000 tonnes of jet fuel, 25,000 tonnes of octane, and 50,000 tonnes of furnace oil. Currently, only 110,000 tonnes by ship and 20,000 tonnes by pipeline have been confirmed, covering about 25 per cent of demand.
Alternative sourcing is underway. With Middle Eastern routes blocked, one LPG vessel is being procured from Malaysia, and an LNG vessel from Indonesia at a higher cost. These are expected to arrive within five days, helping to meet March’s short-term needs and sustain reserves until mid-April. Without timely arrivals, shortages will likely extend into late April and May.
Ongoing Supply Disruptions
BPC’s key suppliers, China’s Unipec and Malaysia’s Petco Trading, have reported delays due to the conflict. A 100,000-tonne crude oil shipment from Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura terminal, scheduled for 3 March, remains stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, and a chartered vessel from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was cancelled. Four LNG vessels from the Middle East are also blocked, leaving the country reliant on alternative sources.
BPC’s General Manager, Muhammad Morshed Hossain, confirmed minor imports via pipeline from India. However, the broader challenge of crude oil and gas shortages persists. Bangladesh annually imports 6.5–6.8 million tonnes of petroleum products, including roughly 1.5 million tonnes of crude oil from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The ongoing conflict has thrown this supply chain into uncertainty, raising concerns over energy security for the coming months.