Amid a severe gas shortage triggered by the shutdown of a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) terminal in Maheshkhali, the country's two leading apparel trade bodies—the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA)—have urged the government to allow export-oriented garment factories to source Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in cylinders from filling stations.
In separate letters issued on July 28, the trade associations informed the government that granting factories temporary access to CNG stations until regular gas supplies normalize would help maintain production and export operations.
The appeal follows an order issued on July 27 by Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, which directed all CNG filling stations to immediately stop selling natural gas in open cylinders or gas cascades to non-authorized vehicles.
Titas stated that such supplies pose severe safety risks and violate the Gas Act 2010 and the Gas Distribution Rules 2026.
Titas warned in its letter that supplying gas in unauthorized cylinders is illegal and highly dangerous, adding that non-compliance could lead to connection disconnections and legal action.
In a letter sent to the President of the Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association, BGMEA president Mahmud Hasan Khan stated that the readymade garment sector is the primary engine of the national economy, driving maximum export earnings, generating millions of jobs, and earning foreign exchange.
He noted that the shutdown of one of the two FSRU LNG terminals in Maheshkhali has caused a severe gas crisis across industrial hubs. Gas pressure in many factories has dropped to zero PSI, making it increasingly difficult to sustain production and deliver shipments to international buyers on schedule.
The BGMEA requested that factories with urgent operational needs be granted temporary permission to collect gas in cylinders from CNG filling stations to safeguard production and honor export commitments.
The association added that Titas's recent order has made many filling stations reluctant to supply gas in cylinders.
BKMEA seeks ministry intervention
Meanwhile, in a notice to its members, the BKMEA stated that following Titas's directive, the association's president discussed the matter with the Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.
According to BKMEA, after explaining that disruptions to gas supply in export-oriented industries would severely harm production and exports, the Energy Secretary instructed Titas's managing director to take necessary measures so that export-oriented factories can continue sourcing gas from CNG filling stations as before.
The trade body advised member factories to strictly adhere to government regulations and safety guidelines while collecting gas, and urged those with alternative LMG (mobile gas) setups to utilize them at full capacity.
The BKMEA noted that the current gas shortage may persist until August 8, after which conditions are expected to gradually normalize. It added that it remains in regular contact with relevant authorities to monitor the situation.
