A fuel shortage has severely disrupted the operations of fishing trawlers as well as lighter vessels engaged in transporting goods from mother vessels at sea. Many fishing trawlers remain stranded along the Karnaphuli River as these boats cannot venture into the deep sea due to fuel crisis.
As a result, fish supply has dropped sharply at Fishery Ghat in recent days, and fish prices have started to rise in local markets. According to district fisheries officials, marine fish catch has declined by 30–40% in areas like Bashkhali and Sitakunda.
However, lighter vessel owners said they have been struggling to secure required fuel from depots in Chittagong since the onset of the Middle East conflicts. State-run fuel suppliers—Padma, Jamuna, and Meghna—are providing far less fuel than demand, leading to acute shortages.
Lighter vessels play a crucial role in transporting goods from mother vessels anchored at Chittagong Port’s outer anchorage to about 50 inland river routes. These vessels primarily run on diesel.
According to Bangladesh Water Transport Coordination Cell (BWTCC), there are around 1,200 registered lighter vessels in the country, of which about 1,050 operate regularly. Additionally, more than 250 vessels are owned by various industrial groups.
On average, 70–80 lighter vessels are engaged daily in transporting goods. These vessels require approximately 2.50 lakh liters of diesel to complete loading and delivery operations. However, suppliers are currently able to provide only 60,000–70,000 liters per day—far below the required amount.
In a letter sent to the energy ministry, BWTCC convener Shafik Ahmed stated that due to fuel shortages, lighter vessels are unable to load goods from mother vessels or transport cargo to designated destinations. If the situation persists, cargo handling operations at the port could come to a halt, he warned.
Ahmed said, “The fuel crisis is ongoing for lighter vessels. We are not getting sufficient diesel from depots. We have written twice to the ministry, but no solution has come yet.”
He added that transporting goods by road from Chittagong to Dhaka costs around Tk 2,000–2,500 per ton, whereas lighter vessels can do it for about Tk 500 per ton.
The fishing sector is also facing similar difficulties. Fishing trawler owner Nurul Amin said small boats require 1,800–2,000 liters of fuel per trip, while larger vessels need 3,500–4,000 liters.
Due to shortages, many owners are unable to send their vessels to sea, while some are taking risks. Previously, fishing trips lasted 14–15 days, but now boats are returning within 8–9 days or even sooner.
Deputy Director of Chittagong Marine Fisheries Office, Shaukat Kabir Chowdhury, said about 29,000 small trawlers operate within 40 meters depth, while 268 commercial vessels fish in deeper waters beyond that range. Of these, 234 are actively engaged in fishing.
He noted that some commercial vessel owners have informally reported their inability to obtain adequate diesel, though no formal complaints have yet been filed.
Many related sectors—traders, laborers, ice plant owners, transport workers—are also under pressure, putting the livelihoods of thousands at risk.
The situation is further compounded by an upcoming 58-day government ban on marine fishing, starting mid-April, aimed at conserving fish resources and ensuring breeding. Fishermen say the combined impact of fuel shortages and the prolonged ban has pushed them into deep uncertainty.
Chittagong District Fisheries Officer Salma Begum said they have learnt that marine fish catch has dropped by 30–40% in areas like Bashkhali and Sitakunda.
“Due to fuel shortages, many fishermen cannot go to sea. However, we have not yet received any written complaints,” she added.
