Fuel supply stable till May

The government has secured sufficient fuel imports for April and May by tapping a range of alternative sources, the Energy Division said on Wednesday, seeking to reassure a market rattled by global uncertainty and domestic panic buying.

“We have made our highest efforts to activate all alternative sources.

As a result, the government can now confidently say that there is sufficient fuel in stock, including diesel for April and May,” said Monir Hossain Chowdhury, a spokesperson for the Energy Division, at a regular briefing at the Secretariat in Dhaka.

Officials, however, struck a cautious note, pointing to the evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East.

Chowdhury warned that the ongoing conflict could take a new turn in the coming days, potentially affecting global supply chains.

“If that happens, the government will brief the media accordingly. But at this moment, we are saying that the stock is sufficient,” he said.

Despite repeated assurances, authorities remain concerned over persistent panic buying and hoarding.

Chowdhury emphasized that fuel demand has not significantly changed in recent weeks. “The number of vehicles has not increased since February 28.

The supply we provided before that date is the same as what we are providing now,” he said, questioning the rationale behind continued stockpiling.

According to official data, Bangladesh currently holds 101,385 tonnes of diesel, alongside 31,821 tonnes of octane, 18,211 tonnes of petrol, 77,546 tonnes of furnace oil, and 18,223 tonnes of jet fuel—levels the government says are adequate to meet short-term demand.

In an effort to curb hoarding, authorities have intensified enforcement operations.

Between March 3 and April 14, government agencies carried out 9,116 drives nationwide, recovering approximately 542,000 litres of illegally stored fuel and filing 3,510 cases.

Officials said fines totaling Tk 1.56 crore were imposed, while 45 individuals were sentenced to jail terms.

Diesel accounted for the bulk of recovered fuel, at 366,000 litres, followed by petrol, octane, and furnace oil, reflecting widespread stockpiling across multiple fuel categories.

Supply concerns have also been shaped by constraints at Eastern Refinery Limited, the country’s sole refinery, which is currently operating at a limited capacity using reserve “deadstock.”

Officials said the refinery will continue partial operations until the next crude shipment arrives.

A cargo is expected to depart from Yanbu port in Saudi Arabia on April 20 and reach Bangladesh by May 2, traveling through an alternative route via the Red Sea amid regional tensions.

Chowdhury sought to downplay the refinery’s reduced output, noting that it accounts for only about one-fifth of the national supply chain.

“Currently, two out of four units are in operation using deadstock. In the interim, we are carrying out regular maintenance on the remaining units,” he said.

Still, broader concerns persist over the global energy outlook. Speaking separately, information and broadcasting adviser Zahed Ur Rahman warned that prolonged instability in the Persian Gulf could force the government to reconsider its fuel pricing strategy.

“We have already stated that we will not increase prices in April. However, if this continues, some price adjustments may be required,” he said at a weekly briefing at the Press Information Department.

Rahman pointed to the unpredictable nature of international diplomacy, referencing Donald Trump, and suggesting that any breakthrough in global negotiations could quickly stabilize markets.

“If a successful discussion takes place and a deal is reached, everything could stabilise,” he added.

For now, officials are urging calm, insisting that supplies remain stable and that there is no justification for panic-driven behavior.

Yet with global tensions unresolved, the durability of that assurance may soon face a more severe test.