Global maritime trade is facing renewed instability as the Middle East war and a severe fuel crisis disrupt shipping routes. Main line operators are preparing to raise freight charges again from April 1, potentially increasing Bangladesh’s import and export costs. Container rates to Europe have already risen sharply, while connections on Middle East routes have nearly collapsed, with limited vessels charging several times higher rates. Freight for a 40-foot container from Chattogram to Europe has climbed from about $1,600–$1,700 in February to around $2,400 in March.

Shipping companies cite rising global fuel prices and war risks as reasons for the new rate adjustments, with expectations of a further 25–30 percent increase in April. Industry leaders warn that the surge will directly affect Bangladesh’s export sector, particularly the ready-made garment industry, as existing orders were priced under earlier freight structures. Freight forwarders also report a 20 percent rise in bulk cargo rates and growing risks in the Red Sea and Hormuz Strait.

Experts urge the government to closely monitor shipping line pricing and take measures to mitigate the impact on trade and the broader economy.

A mobile court in Matlab South upazila of Chandpur sentenced the owner of Nawrin Filling Station to one year of imprisonment and fined him 5,000 taka for failing to provide proper records of fuel collection and sales. The operation was conducted on the night of March 30 under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner Tanvir Rabbi, based on intelligence information.

According to the Chandpur District Administration, the filling station collected about 71,000 liters of petrol, octane, and diesel from Padma Oil Company between March 9 and March 24 but could not produce accurate documentation of the transactions. The station also failed to show its sales register for the same period.

Under Section 45 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009, the mobile court imposed the sentence and fine. The magistrate also instructed that the stored fuel be supplied to customers present at the site.

The government has directed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to investigate the operations of three private submarine cable companies—Summit Communications Limited, Metacore Subcom Limited, and CdNet Communications—and the legality of their jointly formed consortium. The directive, issued by the Posts and Telecommunications Division, seeks a detailed report on whether the consortium was formed with prior approval and if it complies with licensing conditions and government guidelines.

According to the ministry’s letter, each company received separate submarine cable licenses in September 2022 to strengthen Bangladesh’s internet infrastructure and reduce state monopoly in the sector. The three firms later formed the “Bangladesh Private Cable System” consortium to establish a 1,300-kilometer submarine cable link with Singapore. Officials from Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCCPLC) have expressed concern that the consortium may have violated licensing rules by installing fewer fiber pairs than required and by planning to connect through a branch cable mostly located in Myanmar’s shallow waters.

The government aims to ensure compliance with licensing terms for national security and sectoral discipline. If irregularities are found, authorities may take action against the involved companies.

Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Al Masud has filed a general diary (GD) with Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station, alleging the spread of false, baseless, and defamatory information about him on Facebook. The GD, numbered 1680, was lodged on the night of March 30, 2026, after the official reportedly noticed the posts on March 26 and 27. One post came from an account named 'Leo Cipher' and another from a page titled 'BNP Media Cell Jhenaidah'.

According to the GD, similar defamatory content had previously been posted from an account under the name 'Abdul Mannan Swapon'. The Deputy Commissioner suspects that the same individual may be operating or encouraging others to use anonymous accounts to continue the smear campaign. He stated that the ongoing misinformation is damaging his personal reputation and disrupting his official duties.

Jhenaidah Sadar Police Officer-in-Charge Shamsul Arefin confirmed that the complaint has been recorded as a general diary. The Cyber Crime Unit is working to trace the locations and identities behind the accounts for further legal action.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has reinstated the commercial operation license of First Communications Limited (Firstcom BD), a company owned by controversial businessman S Alam. The company had been shut down in December 2024 due to serious allegations of irregularities, unpaid dues, and financial corruption. Despite owing significant amounts to both the International Gateway Operators Forum (IOS) and BTRC, the regulator lifted the operational cap on December 2, 2025, after the company paid only half of its dues to BTRC. On March 16, 2026, BTRC granted full permission for the company to resume operations.

The decision has sparked intense debate within the telecommunications sector. Industry stakeholders argue that BTRC violated its own May 2025 directive requiring full payment of dues by July 31, 2025, before participation in new network topologies. IOS operators rejected Firstcom BD’s proposals to repay dues in installments, expressing concern that the company might again default as it had in the past.

Sector insiders warn that BTRC’s move could undermine regulatory neutrality and discourage compliant operators, especially as the Anti-Corruption Commission had previously secured a court order freezing assets linked to the company’s controlling shareholders.

A report by Amar Desh on March 31, 2026, reveals that substantial amounts of money are being transferred from Bangladesh to India through both legal and illegal means. Official remittance data from Bangladesh Bank shows annual transfers of around USD 50–60 million, but experts believe the actual figure is several times higher due to undeclared payments to Indian workers in Bangladesh. The report also notes that about 50,000 Indian nationals currently live in Bangladesh, many without valid permits, and that authorities have identified thousands of illegal residents during recent police operations.

The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has issued over 8,000 new work permits and extended more than 13,000 since 2018–19. Officials acknowledge that foreign workers are hired due to skill shortages, though concerns remain about unreported salaries and tax compliance. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) audits foreign taxpayers but faces limitations in verifying undeclared income.

The report further highlights that Bangladesh’s trade deficit with India exceeds USD 9 billion annually, while travel and medical expenses by Bangladeshis in India have also contributed to significant outflows of foreign currency.

A mobile court in Gazipur’s Konabari area seized 34,000 liters of illegally stored fuel from a filling station that had displayed a 'No Oil' sign. The operation, led by Executive Magistrate Salehur Rahman on Monday night, uncovered 28,521 liters of diesel and 5,419 liters of octane from Messrs Abdul Ali Filling Station beside the Dhaka–Tangail highway. The station’s manager, Abul Kashem Babul, 60, was sentenced to one month of simple imprisonment for the offense.

According to court sources, the raid followed a tip-off that the station was hoarding fuel while suspending sales under the pretext of shortage. Law enforcement personnel, including members of Ansar and the Border Guard Bangladesh, assisted in the operation. The station was sealed following the seizure.

The magistrate ordered that the confiscated fuel be sold through the responsible officer of Gazipur City Corporation’s Ward 9, with proceeds deposited into the government treasury. He also stated that similar drives would continue in the public interest.

A mobile court in Satkhira sentenced a man named Anwar Hossain Khokon to two months of simple imprisonment and fined him 5,000 taka for illegally storing and selling fuel at inflated prices. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained him on Monday from his residence in the Uttar Palashpol area of Satkhira town.

The mobile court, led by Executive Magistrates Md. Saiful Islam and Konoj Dewan under the district administration, delivered the punishment following the arrest. The operation was part of an enforcement drive against unauthorized fuel storage and price manipulation in the region.

The case highlights ongoing efforts by local authorities to curb illegal fuel trading and ensure compliance with government pricing and storage regulations in Satkhira.

Authorities in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram seized approximately 25,000 liters of stolen diesel during a joint operation at the Jalil Gate area of Faujdarhat on Monday afternoon. The operation was conducted by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, and the upazila administration, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Abdullah Al Mamun. Officials said the raid was based on secret information about an illegal fuel depot.

During the operation, around 22,000 liters of diesel stored in three oil vouchers and another 3,000 liters kept in a container were confiscated. No one from the depot ownership was found at the scene, though local sources claimed that two individuals named Anwar and Nasir had been running the illegal business for a long time.

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Mia visited the site and stated that the administration maintains a zero-tolerance policy against illegal fuel storage and trading. He warned that both buyers and sellers must refrain from hoarding fuel or face legal action.

Economy and finance ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations have pledged to take all necessary measures to stabilize global energy markets as the US-Israeli war on Iran disrupts oil supplies. Following a teleconference organized by France, which currently holds the G7 presidency, the ministers and central bankers issued a joint statement emphasizing their readiness to act in coordination with partners to preserve energy market stability and security. The meeting came as Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf oil producers and its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz pushed Brent crude prices above $116 a barrel.

The G7, comprising the United States, Canada, Japan, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, urged countries to avoid unjustified export restrictions on oil and gas. They also noted the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) recommendation to manage demand and its earlier decision to release 400 million barrels from strategic reserves. Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama warned that prolonged supply disruptions could harm global growth, while British Chancellor Rachel Reeves called for a swift resolution to the Middle East conflict.

The G7 statement added that central banks remain committed to maintaining price stability as rising energy costs threaten to fuel inflation worldwide.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a special auction of 91-day treasury bills to raise Tk 5,000 crore for the government. The auction is scheduled for April 1, according to a senior central bank official. The initiative comes amid increased liquidity in the banking sector, with banks recently depositing around Tk 11,500 crore through the Standing Deposit Facility.

Central bank sources said the government typically requires large sums of money toward the end of the fiscal year. As funds are currently available from banks at a cost lower than the policy rate, the government is taking advantage of this situation to borrow for 91 days. Officials clarified that the move is not due to debt pressure but rather an effort to manage excess liquidity in the banking system.

The banking sector is currently in a strong liquidity position, supported by rising remittance inflows and slower private investment due to the Middle East crisis. Sources added that upcoming grants expected by the end of June will help repay the borrowed funds easily, balancing both government financing needs and liquidity management.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) have arrested a man named Md. Ripon, aged 23, for allegedly creating fake Facebook accounts using the names and photos of senior government, police, and administrative officials. The arrest took place on Monday, March 30, near the Cancer Building of PG Hospital under Shahbagh Police Station. Two mobile phones were seized during the operation.

According to DB sources, a fraud ring had been using the identities of high-ranking officials to open fake Facebook accounts, post misleading content, and deceive the public. Analysis of the recovered phones revealed a logged-in fake account named “Doctor. Ayesha Khatun,” which was used to post deceptive materials featuring the Inspector General of Police and other key figures.

Preliminary interrogation indicated that Ripon had been conducting these fraudulent activities for a long time with the help of accomplices. Legal proceedings against him are currently underway.

A mobile court in Singra upazila of Natore fined a trader one lakh taka and sentenced him to two months in jail for illegally storing 11,000 liters of fuel. The operation took place around 3 p.m. on Monday at Asha Traders in Sherkol Bazar, owned by Altaf Sheikh. The court, led by Executive Magistrate and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdullah Al Rifat, found the trader guilty of hoarding fuel without valid documentation.

During the raid, officials recovered 49 barrels of diesel, 5 barrels of octane, 2 barrels of petrol, and 2 barrels of lubricants, totaling 11,000 liters. The magistrate stated that the action was part of efforts to address the ongoing fuel shortage in the area. The trader failed to produce legal papers for the stored fuel, leading to the fine and jail sentence.

Authorities ordered that the seized fuel be sold within seven days, aiming to prevent further disruption in local fuel supply.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, told Parliament on Monday that certain groups are smuggling fuel through border areas. In a statement under Rule 300, he said that the tendency to purchase fuel beyond actual need has artificially created a sense of crisis. The minister assured that the government has taken timely measures to maintain normal supply and that there is currently no shortage of fuel.

According to Mahmud, the country has a stock of 218,000 metric tons of diesel, with supply systems operating normally. The government plans to import 50,000 metric tons of octane in April and expects an additional 30,000 tons from domestic sources, enough to meet demand for two more months. He noted that hoarding behavior, rather than actual scarcity, has become a major issue.

The minister emphasized that despite global challenges, the government has not raised fuel prices and continues to provide subsidies for public benefit. He urged citizens to avoid unnecessary fuel purchases and wastage, stressing that collective effort is essential to overcome any global crisis.

Police in Noakhali have arrested eight people in connection with the killing of teenage gang leader Md. Nirab in the Andarchar area of Sadar upazila. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon following a dispute over territorial control and drug sales. Nirab was attacked in the Bangla Bazar area of Purba Maizchara village and later died while receiving treatment at Noakhali General Hospital. On Monday afternoon, the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court ordered the suspects to be sent to jail.

According to police and local sources, Nirab was involved in various criminal activities including theft, robbery, extortion, and illegal occupation. He was known locally as both a drug dealer and a gang leader. Following the incident, Abdul Gani, the victim’s father, filed a case with Sudharam Police Station on Sunday night naming 22 individuals as accused. Police subsequently detained eight of them for investigation.

Authorities continue to investigate the case to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the killing.