Written by The Banking Post
Fuel supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict have begun to weigh on transport and industrial activity in Chattogram, even as officials insist there is no nationwide shortage.
Most petrol pumps in the port city have remained shut since the Eid holidays, while those still operating are struggling to supply octane and other fuels. Long queues have formed as vehicles wait hours to refuel.
The strain is also spilling into the industrial sector. Diesel shortages are slowing output and pushing up costs, particularly for heavy industries and ready-made garment factories already dealing with power constraints.
A senior official at GPH Ispat said fuel supply from the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation continues, but warned that prolonged disruption in imports could hit production hard. “If the situation persists, heavy industries may face shutdowns due to fuel shortages,” he said.
He added that authorities have deployed teams, including members of Border Guard Bangladesh, at depots and fuel stations to maintain distribution.
A top executive of KSRM said industries have so far avoided a full-blown crisis, but rising global fuel prices are increasing operational costs. “We are still receiving fuel, but vessels are sourcing it at higher international rates,” he noted.
Market insiders say sectors such as shipbreaking and heavy industry remain vulnerable, while the garment sector is grappling with both load-shedding and limited diesel supply following distribution controls.
At the retail level, some pumps have displayed “No Petrol” or “No Octane” signs, with allegations of overcharging surfacing in parts of the city.
Officials, however, maintain that supplies are being distributed based on historical consumption patterns, suggesting the situation reflects tight management rather than an outright shortage.
Meanwhile, fuel imports continue through Chattogram Port Authority, where multiple energy vessels carrying LNG, LPG and refined products have berthed in March, helping stabilise the broader supply chain.
“Port operations remained uninterrupted during the Eid holidays,” a port official said, expressing hope that steady arrivals will ease pressure in the coming days.
