As part of government efforts to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply, 14 oil-carrying vessels arrived in Chittagong Port as of May 15, while five more are scheduled to anchor later this month.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) officials said a total of 19 vessels are expected to arrive in May, carrying 385,000 metric tons of diesel, 67,000 tons of jet fuel, 26,500 tons of octane and 75,000 tons of furnace oil.
“We have received 14 oil-carrying ships as of May 15, and five more fuel-laden vessels will anchor at Chittagong Port within this month,” said Mohammad Zahid Hossain, general manager of BPC, on Friday.
He added that 16 additional vessels carrying refined and crude oil have been confirmed for June. “The government has been importing refined and crude oil to meet demand. An oil tanker is scheduled to anchor at Chittagong Port today.”
The vessel MT Fossil, carrying 100,000 tons of crude oil, departed for Chittagong on Monday evening (Bangladesh time), officials said.
Bangladesh Shipping Corporation Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said the vessel is expected to reach Chittagong Port on May 23, if all goes as planned.
Earlier on May 6, the oil tanker MT Ninemia arrived at the Qutubdia Channel from Yanbu Port in Saudi Arabia, carrying 100,000 tons of crude oil.
On May 11, two fuel tankers carrying a combined 74,000 tons of diesel from Malaysia and Singapore arrived at the outer anchorage of Chittagong Port amid efforts to maintain stable fuel supplies.
Based on Bangladesh’s estimated daily diesel demand of around 12,500 tons, the imported fuel would be sufficient to meet national demand for more than five days.