Bangladesh is facing an escalating fuel crisis despite official claims of normal supply. Long queues at fuel stations, halted river transport, and disruptions in industrial production have become widespread. The country’s only refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL), is running at reduced capacity due to a lack of crude oil, with current reserves expected to last only until mid-April. The refinery has not received new crude shipments since mid-February, as scheduled vessels from the Middle East were delayed by regional conflict.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) maintains that supply levels match those of the previous year and attributes visible shortages to panic buying and black-market activity. However, Customs data contradict BPC’s claims, showing a sharp decline in fuel imports since early 2026. Between March 2025 and March 2026, total imports by major state-run oil companies fell by over 65,000 tons. Most vessels arriving at Chattogram port in recent weeks carried gas-based fuels rather than liquid oil, further straining supply.

Officials warn that if new crude shipments do not arrive soon, ERL may face a temporary shutdown, potentially worsening the national fuel shortage.