Qatar has resumed the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Bangladesh after a temporary production halt, according to a report by U.S.-based media outlet Bloomberg. The report stated that a tanker named 'Lebretha' departed from Qatar's Ras Laffan export terminal on Friday, loaded with LNG and heading toward Bangladesh, where it is expected to arrive on March 14. Another vessel, 'Al Ghashamiya,' was also loaded with LNG earlier in the week and is currently waiting in the Persian Gulf.

Bloomberg noted that it remains uncertain whether either shipment will reach its destination, as the Strait of Hormuz—controlled by Iran—has been effectively closed to commercial shipping due to ongoing war conditions. The report added that the 'Lebretha' tanker could serve as floating storage until sea routes reopen.

Earlier, Qatar had shut down its Ras Laffan terminal, the world’s largest LNG export hub, following an Iranian drone attack. Normally, about 20 percent of global LNG supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Bangladesh Railway has started selling advance train tickets for March 18 today, Sunday, March 8, to ensure smooth travel for passengers heading home for Eid-ul-Fitr. According to railway authorities, all tickets are being sold entirely online this year. To reduce server pressure, the ticket sales have been divided by region and time, with western region tickets available from 8 a.m. and eastern region tickets from 2 p.m.

Tickets for March 13 to 17 trains were sold from March 3 to 7, while tickets for March 18 and 19 are being sold on March 8 and 9 respectively. For return journeys after Eid, advance ticket sales will begin on March 13, starting with tickets for March 23. Subsequent days will see sales for March 24 to 29 tickets.

The initiative aims to manage high passenger demand during the Eid travel rush and minimize technical disruptions by staggering online ticket sales across regions and dates.

India has raised cooking gas prices as global energy markets reel from ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In Kolkata, the price of a 14-kilogram LPG cylinder rose from 879 to 939 rupees, while the 19-kilogram commercial cylinder increased by 114 rupees to 1,990 rupees. The new rates took effect on Saturday, March 7, across West Bengal, intensifying pressure on household budgets.

According to the LPG Distributors Association spokesperson Bijonbihari Biswas, supply to large customers has been temporarily restricted, and similar measures may soon apply to users of 19-kilogram cylinders. Distributors reportedly have only four to five days of gas stock left. Many residents have begun turning to wood-fired stoves as an alternative amid the price hike.

Stakeholders warn that if the conflict continues, gas prices could rise further. Local consumers expressed concern that the higher costs are straining family finances, with few affordable alternatives available.

Bangladesh Bank has received a set of recommendations from leading economists to help the country withstand potential economic shocks stemming from rising tensions in the Middle East. At a meeting held on Saturday, chaired by newly appointed Governor Mostakur Rahman, eight prominent economists advised keeping the policy interest rate unchanged, preserving foreign exchange reserves, and seeking alternative energy sources outside the Middle East.

The economists warned that recent military tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States could disrupt global energy supplies and increase pressure on Bangladesh’s economy through higher fuel costs, reduced remittance inflows, and dollar shortages. They emphasized the need to avoid policies that could worsen inflation, which remains high, and urged proper implementation of social safety programs such as the Family Card initiative.

Additional recommendations included accelerating the release of foreign loans, exploring energy imports from Brunei and Singapore, and forming a crisis management committee to provide regular briefings and prevent public panic. The governor pledged integrity in his role and directed banks to act free from political influence.

Bangladesh has received a major relief as 15 cargo ships carrying fuel, gas, and industrial raw materials have begun arriving at Chattogram Port despite fears of disruption in the Hormuz Strait due to the ongoing Iran-Israel-US conflict. According to port authorities, 12 of the ships have already docked, while the remaining three are expected within the week. The shipments include liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and clinker for the cement industry.

The tension around the Hormuz Strait escalated after a joint US-Israel strike on Iran on February 28, followed by Tehran’s warnings. About 20 percent of global oil and LNG supplies pass through this route, making it crucial for Bangladesh, which imports from seven Gulf countries. Four LNG ships from Qatar crossed the strait before the conflict intensified, while one more remains inside awaiting passage.

Officials noted that while current shipments have arrived safely, continued instability could complicate future cargo movements through the strait, potentially affecting Bangladesh’s energy imports.

Twelve ships that departed through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman before the outbreak of war between Iran, the United States, and Israel have reached the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port. Three more vessels are expected to arrive within the week. Among the arrivals, four are carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG), two contain liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and nine are loaded with clinker, a raw material for the cement industry.

According to Khairul Alam Sujon, former director of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, these ships left the Middle East before navigation through the Hormuz Strait was halted due to the conflict. He added that several other ships are still en route, while a few remain near or inside the strait.

Sujon stated that the government, shipping lines, vessel owners, cargo owners, and mariners are closely monitoring the war situation. If threats in the Hormuz Strait subside, normal maritime operations are expected to resume quickly.

A sudden shortage of petrol has been reported across multiple filling stations in Rangpur Division, where customers claim a syndicate is deliberately withholding fuel to create an artificial crisis. Despite government instructions on fuel distribution limits, petrol has become unavailable at most pumps, forcing consumers to buy octane instead. In response, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and the district administration launched joint drives, fining and warning pump owners for non-compliance.

On Saturday, long queues formed at petrol stations as motorcyclists and car owners struggled to refuel. Several customers accused pump owners of hoarding petrol to manipulate prices, while some station managers argued that supply disruptions were due to depot closures on Friday and Saturday. However, mobile courts found evidence of petrol being withheld despite available stock.

The mobile court fined the Shapla Uniq Petrol Pump Tk 10,000 and the City Petrol Pump Tk 20,000 for creating artificial shortages. Officials confirmed that sufficient fuel supply exists and urged the public not to panic or buy excessively. The inspection drives will continue across all pumps in Rangpur.

Foreign oil companies have begun withdrawing their employees from Iraq’s oil fields, according to footage obtained by Reuters showing workers crossing the Safwan border into Kuwait. A security guard from the US oil company Halliburton, Mohammad Ta’meh, told Reuters that foreign staff left Iraq due to the deteriorating security situation and will decide their next steps from Kuwait.

Another US oil producer, HKN Energy, halted oil production on Friday after reports of attacks by terrorist groups. The withdrawals and production halt come as oil fields across the region have become targets during a week-long conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The developments highlight the growing instability in Iraq’s energy sector and the potential disruption to regional oil operations as security threats intensify.

Bangladesh’s macroeconomic stability is under significant pressure, according to Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). Speaking on Saturday at a shadow parliament debate titled “Economic Stability to Meet Public Expectations” held at the FDC auditorium in Dhaka, she said the economy is at a stage that requires transformation. The event was organized by Debate for Democracy and chaired by its chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron.

Dr. Khatun highlighted multiple challenges including high inflation, limited fiscal space, stagnation in private investment, monetary risks, heavy debt burden, energy sector stress, political uncertainty, and both domestic and global pressures. She emphasized that macroeconomic discipline is essential to restore stability. The newly elected government, she noted, faces major tasks such as restoring stability, strengthening governance, rebuilding investor confidence, and creating employment.

She added that the government has outlined goals to reshape the economy, aiming for a one-trillion-dollar size by 2034, increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio, boosting investment, and expanding social protection through family and farmer cards. She stressed the need for coordinated monetary and fiscal policies to control demand pressures and stabilize inflation expectations.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid, stated on Saturday in Tejgaon, Dhaka, that the country has adequate oil reserves and there is no reason for public concern. He announced that two additional oil vessels are scheduled to arrive on March 9, ensuring continued supply and preventing any potential shortage. The minister urged citizens not to panic or stockpile fuel unnecessarily, assuring that petrol pumps are being regularly supplied.

He explained that global instability, particularly the ongoing war in the Middle East, has created uncertainty in the international energy market, leading to public anxiety. As a precaution, the government has introduced limited fuel rationing, which some people misinterpreted as a sign of scarcity. The minister clarified that the rationing is a preventive measure, not a response to shortage.

To maintain control over fuel distribution, the government will deploy mobile courts from the following day to monitor petrol pumps and investigate any irregularities. The minister also confirmed that Bangladesh continues to import LNG from Qatar and is exploring alternative energy sources to ensure future stability.

In Chatmohar upazila of Pabna, octane is being sold at Tk 170 per liter, which is Tk 50 higher than the official price of Tk 120. Petrol is being sold at Tk 140 instead of Tk 116, and diesel at Tk 115 instead of Tk 100. Motorcyclists reported that sellers are charging extra citing the ongoing war situation as justification.

The report states that due to the current conflict involving the United States, Iran, and Israel, fears of a fuel price hike have led to increased demand and crowding at fuel stations. Some unscrupulous traders are reportedly hoarding fuel to exploit the situation. The owner of the only fuel pump in Chatmohar, KM Saeed Ul Islam Kafi, said his station sells fuel at official rates but demand exceeds supply.

Chatmohar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Musa Naser Chowdhury said that operations will soon be conducted against dishonest traders charging excessive prices.

The United States will not grant India any trade concessions, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on Thursday. He said Washington does not want to repeat the mistake it made two decades ago by giving China special trade privileges, which helped Beijing become a major rival. Landau emphasized that the Trump administration’s decision reflects a broader policy of using tariffs as a negotiation tool and prioritizing national interests.

Landau stated that while the U.S. values its economic relationship with India, it cannot offer unfair advantages, as both governments are accountable to their citizens. He confirmed that Washington and New Delhi agreed on an interim trade framework on February 6, set to take effect in April, imposing an 18 percent reciprocal tariff on several Indian goods. The U.S. had earlier announced a 50 percent tariff on Indian imports due to oil purchases from Russia but later withdrew the punitive portion after India accepted certain U.S. conditions.

Landau also urged India to diversify its energy sources amid supply disruptions linked to the Iran-Israel conflict, suggesting the U.S. could play a larger role in India’s energy security.

Long queues formed at petrol pumps across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Rajshahi, as consumers rushed to buy fuel amid fears of supply disruption and price hikes linked to the ongoing Middle East war. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) imposed limits on daily fuel sales by vehicle type to prevent artificial shortages, assuring that national reserves remain sufficient. Some pumps temporarily closed due to excessive demand, while others restricted sales per customer.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud urged the public not to panic, saying fuel stocks and supply are stable. State Minister for Energy Anindya Islam Amit announced that a rationing system for fuel sales would begin Sunday to ensure long-term stability. BPC reiterated that no government decision had been made to raise prices and warned against overcharging.

The surge in demand followed reports of regional conflict after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, which led to retaliatory strikes and closure of the Hormuz Strait. Authorities expect the situation to normalize soon as imports and domestic distribution continue under regular schedules.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) announced that the government has not yet made any decision to increase fuel prices amid the current crisis. The statement, signed by BPC Secretary Shahina Sultana and issued on Friday, emphasized that fuel must be sold at government-fixed prices and that charging extra under the pretext of crisis is a legal offense. It also noted that fuel prices are set by the government at the beginning of each month.

The BPC further stated that reports have emerged of some consumers attempting to stockpile fuel by purchasing more than necessary from dealers and filling stations. The matter has come to the attention of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and other relevant authorities. To reduce public fear, the BPC assured that fuel imports and distribution across the country are continuing as scheduled, with regular shipments arriving and supplies being sent to depots by rail wagons and tankers.

The corporation expressed hope that a sufficient buffer stock of fuel will be established in the country within a short period.

A sudden rush for fuel gripped Sylhet city on Thursday night and Friday as rumors spread that global tensions in the Middle East could trigger a rise in fuel prices. Long queues formed at petrol pumps, with many buyers attempting to stock up on petrol, octane, and diesel. Some stations began rationing fuel, limiting sales to 200 taka per motorcycle. Dealers said the panic buying created an artificial shortage, though supplies remained adequate and normal distribution was expected to resume by Sunday.

Fuel traders and pump owners confirmed that the government had fixed prices for March—diesel at 100 taka, kerosene at 112, petrol at 116, and octane at 120 taka per liter—and no price increase was planned mid-month. They urged consumers not to crowd stations unnecessarily, noting that depots remain closed on weekends, which temporarily constrained supply.

Officials from the Sylhet division’s petrol pump owners’ association and the national petroleum dealers’ body reiterated that there was no actual shortage and appealed for patience until regular supply resumes.