The Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), representing private inland container depot (ICD) owners, has expressed concern that the country’s export-import activities could face serious disruption if diesel supply to ICDs in Chittagong is not maintained.
In this regard, the association has written to the chairman of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), requesting immediate steps to ensure uninterrupted diesel supply to the depots according to their operational demand.
In a letter signed by BICDA President Khalilur Rahman on Monday, the organisation said there are currently 21 private ICDs operating in Chattogram. These facilities handle nearly 100 percent of the country’s export-bound containers and about 25 percent of import containers, functioning as key support facilities for Chittagong Port.
According to the letter, thousands of export containers are shipped to destinations around the world every day through these ICDs via Chittagong Port. At the same time, around one-quarter of imported containerised goods are delivered through the depots. The ICDs also regularly transport large volumes of empty containers from the port to their yards, which plays a crucial role in maintaining smooth port operations.
BICDA noted that container handling and transportation activities at the ICDs are entirely dependent on diesel. Various heavy equipment – including reach stackers, side lifters, top loaders, forklifts – as well as prime movers and trailers used for container transport, all rely on diesel fuel.
The 21 ICDs together require approximately 60,000 to 65,000 litres of diesel per day to maintain normal operations.
Currently, the depots procure diesel from Padma Oil PLC, Meghna Petroleum Limited and Jamuna Oil Company Limited. However, the letter alleged that these fuel marketing companies have recently been unable to supply the required amount of diesel to the ICDs.
If the situation continues, most ICDs may soon face an acute fuel shortage, which could seriously disrupt export operations, the delivery of imported goods and overall activities at Chittagong Port, the association warned.
In this context, BICDA has requested BPC to instruct Padma Oil, Meghna Petroleum and Jamuna Oil to ensure adequate diesel supply to the ICDs in line with their demand in order to safeguard the country’s trade and economic activities.
