Safety steps to manage fuel supply begin

The government has begun a series of precautionary measures to manage its fuel and energy supply as the ongoing Middle East conflict continues to disrupt the global fuel market.

The indefinite conflict in the region, which escalated after joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, has pushed global energy markets into uncertainty and driven oil prices sharply upward.

According to Reuters, crude prices have surged nearly 24 percent to more than $90 per barrel within a week, marking the sharpest rise since the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Bangladesh, which imports around 95 percent of its fuel oil and nearly 70 percent of its gas – much of it from Middle Eastern suppliers – the impact has been immediate.

The newly formed BNP government has already introduced multiple measures to conserve energy.

Citizens have been urged to reduce electricity and fuel consumption, limit unnecessary lighting, and rely more on daylight.

Educational institutions, including both public and private universities, have been temporarily shut from Monday as part of the energy-saving drive.

Shopping mall associations have also joined the effort, instructing shop owners to avoid unnecessary lighting in commercial establishments.

Meanwhile, the government has announced that fuel rationing will remain in place until the war in Iran comes to an end.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood said on Sunday said currently there are sufficient fuel reserves but the government
has introduced rationing to ensure long-term stability amid global uncertainty.
“There is no fuel crisis.

However, considering the global situation, the government will continue to supply fuel through rationing,” he said while addressing a meeting at the Jatiya Press Club.

The minister said the war situation in the Middle East has created serious uncertainty in the global energy market.

“There is a risk that the supply chain could be affected if the conflict spreads to the countries from which Bangladesh imports petroleum.

That is why the government has taken a cautious stance and introduced rationing to use the stored oil economically,” he said.

Mahmood noted that country’s reserves are gradually increasing as new shipments arrive.

One oil tanker anchored at around 11am on Sunday, while another was scheduled to dock at 2pm, he said.

“After these two ships deliver the oil, our reserves will increase further. But that does not mean we will spend it carelessly. We will continue rationing for as long as the war continues,” he added.

The minister, who is also a BNP standing committee member, said several oil tankers already at sea are now arriving in Bangladesh, which will further strengthen the country’s stock.

He also dismissed rumours of an impending price hike. “There is no decision yet to increase oil prices. People should not panic or hoard fuel,” he said.

The government has also issued special instructions to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during Ramadan, particularly during Iftar, Tarawih and Sehri.

Mahmood said the new government assumed office only 20 days ago and inherited a fragile economic situation.

“We found the country in a fragile state with outstanding liabilities of Tk 76,000 crore,” he said, urging citizens to cooperate with government efforts and avoid rumours.

Meanwhile, authorities have moved to crack down on illegal fuel stockpiling and price manipulation.

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has ordered the deployment of mobile courts across the country to prevent hoarding, overpricing and smuggling of fuel.

A letter signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Enamul Hoque sent to the Cabinet Division on Sunday requested district administrators to initiate field-level monitoring, stressing that strict oversight is necessary to ensure uninterrupted energy supply.

The move came after reports that unscrupulous traders had begun stockpiling fuel to create an artificial crisis and profit from rising demand.

Authorities have already set per-vehicle fuel sale limits, while law enforcement agencies have launched inspections at filling stations.

Executive magistrates conducted inspections at petrol pumps in Tejgaon and Mohakhali on Sunday.

Clean Fuel Filling Station in Tejgaon and Eureka Filling Station in Mohakhali were found operating normally and complying with government regulations.

However, City Filling Station, RS Enterprise, Royal Filling Station and Tashofa Filling Station were temporarily closed after running out of fuel.

At Shohag Filling Station in Mohakhali, officials found 3,500 litres of octane stored and ordered sales to resume after verification, though the station had failed to display the mandatory Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation price notice.

Despite government assurances, anxiety among consumers has grown.

Long queues of vehicles were seen at filling stations across Dhaka from early morning on Sunday, as supply constraints and fears of shortages pushed motorists to secure fuel.

Residents of Mohammadpur, Adabor, Dhanmondi and Shyamoli reported difficulties operating deep tube wells due to diesel shortages, affecting the supply of water for daily household use.

Ride-sharing drivers have also been trying to fill their tanks amid fears of a worsening crisis, increasing pressure on fuel stations.

Many customers said the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation’s distribution limits have reduced their income and wasted working hours.

Fuel suppliers, however, insist that oil stocks remain sufficient and that prices are being maintained according to government regulations.

Meanwhile, fresh shipments are arriving to ease supply concerns.

Six vessels carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG), furnace oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) reached Chattogram port this week from the Middle East and East Asia, according to the Chattogram Port Authority and local shipping agents.

The shipments include 126,458 tonnes of LNG on two vessels, 40,000 tonnes of furnace oil on another two ships, and 19,316 tonnes of LPG on a separate carrier.

A sixth vessel carrying 14,000 tonnes of liquid hydrocarbon condensate arrived from Malaysia on 5 March.

Port officials also confirmed that five more ships carrying LNG, LPG and diesel are currently on their way to Bangladesh.

According to Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim, three vessels have already loaded LNG for Bangladesh from Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal.

Officials hope these shipments will bring some relief to country’s energy supply amid the escalating crisis in the Middle East.