Goods transportation at Benapole Land Port has been disrupted due to the nationwide fuel supply crisis, affecting trade at the country’s largest land port.
Transport operators say truck fares for carrying goods across the country have increased by Tk7,000–8,000 depending on destination, leading to a shortage of trucks and rising transport costs. Traders fear the increase will push up commodity prices.
The highest fare hikes have been recorded on the Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet routes, creating stagnation in trade and related sectors.
A visit to the Benapole transport area found that truck fares from Benapole to Dhaka, which previously ranged between Tk23,000 and Tk24,000, have risen to Tk30,000–32,000 since April 10.
On the Chittagong route, transport costs for 15 tons of goods have increased from Tk30,000–35,000 to Tk40,000–42,000.
Traders say the situation has disrupted import handling, with some consignments left undelivered due to truck shortages amid fuel constraints.
Md Shahid Ali, general secretary of the Benapole Land Port Handling Workers’ Union, said around 5,000 workers are engaged in unloading goods at the port daily under two unions.
Since April 2, many workers have refrained from unloading goods, citing increased transport costs and fuel shortages. Previously, 700–800 trucks were handled daily, but the number has now nearly halved, he said.
He warned that continued disruption could lead to job losses and urged immediate administrative intervention.
Truck driver Arif Billah said fuel shortages at filling stations are making long-distance transport difficult.
“Truck fares have increased by Tk7,000–8,000 in a week. If this continues, we may have no option but to keep our vehicles parked,” he said.
Another driver, Abdul Matin, said he was travelling to Pabna with chemical goods and had to pay Tk4,000 more than before.
He alleged that transport owners were increasing fares under the pretext of fuel shortages, adding that ordinary traders were bearing the cost.
Benapole Transport Owners’ Association President Atikuzzaman Soni said there is some shortage of petrol and octane, but diesel supply is relatively stable.
However, irregular fuel availability at filling stations has affected operations and contributed to rising transport costs, he said.
Benapole Land Port Importers and Exporters Association President Alhaj Matiar Rahman said the port handles around 350–400 import trucks and 250–300 export trucks daily.
He said fuel shortages have disrupted the movement of goods across districts and beyond.
Although fuel prices have not officially increased, transport fares have risen by Tk7,000–8,000 within a week, he added, warning that commodity prices may rise as a result.
Jessore Chamber of Commerce Joint Secretary and importer Ejaz Uddin Tipu alleged that some groups were hoarding fuel, creating pressure at pumps and enabling transport operators to increase fares.
Benapole Shahjalal Filling Station Director Ian Ali said they are receiving less than half of the required fuel supply and are distributing it under administrative supervision.
