Despite a steady stream of fuel-laden vessels docking at Chattogram Port, the country’s fuel supply has yet to stabilise, leaving consumers grappling with persistent shortages. Assurances from Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) about increased distribution have so far failed to translate into visible improvements on the ground.
According to BPC data, 12 fuel tankers arrived at the port during the first 20 days of April, carrying diesel, octane, jet fuel, and furnace oil. Of these, eight vessels delivered approximately 274,000 tonnes of diesel, while two carried 53,000 tonnes of octane. A further shipment included around 12,000 tonnes of jet fuel and 25,000 tonnes of furnace oil.
Additional supplies have also come through alternative channels. Around 12,000 tonnes of diesel were imported via pipeline from India, while domestic private refineries have continued supplying diesel, octane, and petrol.
Over the past 19 days, BPC collected 15,170 tonnes of octane from three local private refineries. Among them, Super Petro PLC supplied 11,615 tonnes of octane, along with 7,177 tonnes of petrol and 12,884 tonnes of diesel. Petromax Refinery Limited contributed 3,264 tonnes of octane, 1,254 tonnes of petrol, and 1,896 tonnes of diesel. Aqua Refinery Limited supplied 291 tonnes of octane, 4,133 tonnes of petrol, and 518 tonnes of diesel.
Diesel continues to dominate the country’s energy consumption, accounting for about 63% of total fuel use. BPC estimates that demand for diesel alone will reach around 400,000 tonnes this month.
On 20 April, BPC reported that two tankers – MT Oaktree (carrying about 35,000 tonnes of diesel) and MT Cape Bonny (33,000 tonnes) – were unloading at the Dolphin Jetty of Chattogram Port. Meanwhile, three more vessels – MT Lian Song Hu (41,000 tonnes of diesel), MT Pacific Indigo (33,000 tonnes of diesel), and MT Nave Cielo (27,000 tonnes of octane) – have already entered Bangladesh’s waters. At least five additional tankers are expected to arrive later this week.
Responding to queries about current stock levels, BPC Chairman Md Rezanur Rahman told TIMES that it is difficult to specify the exact duration of available reserves. “Fuel is continuously arriving and being distributed, so the situation is constantly changing,” he said, adding that current stock levels are higher than in normal times due to the ongoing global tensions.
He further noted that the loading of 100,000 tonnes of crude oil onto a tanker is nearly complete and the shipment is expected to reach Bangladesh by 5 May. BPC has already increased supply by 20% for octane and 10% for diesel and petrol, he added, claiming that availability at the consumer level has improved.
However, field observations suggest otherwise.
Visits to multiple filling stations across Chattogram reveal long queues of vehicles, with drivers waiting for hours to refuel. Many are forced to return empty-handed. At a station near Gani Bakery intersection, queues stretched as far as JM Sen Hall, with motorcyclists and private car owners enduring prolonged waits.
Drivers allege that the promised increase in supply has yet to materialise in practice.
According to filling station owners, supply remains insufficient compared to demand. “Earlier we received fuel four days a week, but even now the supply is not adequate.
Abu Tayyab, president of the Chattogram Divisional Petrol Pump Owners’ Association, said fuel supply to filling stations has increased somewhat. However, customers are still lining up for fuel. The queues appear to have decreased compared to the past few days.
