A severe shortage of marine fuel and diesel has disrupted both foreign vessel bunkering and domestic lighter ship operations at Chattogram Port. Dealers authorized to supply specialized 0.5 sulfur marine fuel reported that state-owned oil companies Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna have failed to meet their demand despite formal requests. The crisis has also hit lighter vessels transporting goods from mother vessels to inland ports, with daily diesel allocations dropping to one-fifth of requirements.

Officials from the Bangladesh Water Transport Cell (BWTCC) said such a fuel crisis is unprecedented and warned that it could cause congestion at outer anchorage and instability in essential goods markets. They have already informed the government’s top level seeking adequate diesel allocation. Bunker dealers added that high domestic fuel prices compared to Singapore have limited sales, though recent global price hikes have reversed the trend, straining local reserves.

Port authorities expressed concern that continued shortages could force Chattogram to be declared a “no bunkering port,” lowering its international standing. However, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) assured that blending diesel with furnace oil can sustain marine fuel supply and prevent such a declaration.