An oil tanker, Shan Gang Fa Xian, has reached Chattogram Port carrying over 34,000 tonnes of diesel from Malaysia.
The vessel arrived at Kutubdia in the Bay of Bengal around 10pm on Friday, a day after another diesel shipment from Singapore.
Nazrul Islam, managing partner of Pride Shipping Lines — the ship’s local agent — confirmed the arrival and said the tanker is carrying slightly more than 34,000 tonnes of diesel.
This marks the tenth diesel shipment to reach the port since the start of the Middle East conflict, according to Islam.
The earlier shipment from Singapore brought 27,300 tonnes of diesel, which berthed at Dolphin Jetty No. 6 on Friday afternoon. That vessel has already been unloaded and is scheduled to depart on Sunday.
Before Shan Gang Fa Xian can berth at Dolphin Jetty in Patenga on Sunday, 5,000–6,000 tonnes of diesel will need to be lightered at the outer anchorage, a process that can be carried out by at least two smaller vessels simultaneously.
Syed Refayet Hamim, secretary of Chittagong Port Authority, said oil and gas carriers are being prioritized for berths to help ease the country’s ongoing energy crisis.
Sources at Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation added that steps are being taken to import fuel from new countries alongside existing pipeline supplies.
The port’s marine department also reported that an LNG carrier from the United States anchored at Kutubdia on 2 April, while another vessel carrying LPG from China is expected to arrive on 4 April.
