Diesel Offloading Delays Disrupt Supply Nationwide

Chittagong Port’s ongoing labour unrest has led to delays in offloading diesel, causing a ripple effect across depots operated by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC). As a result, the timely distribution of diesel to various regions of the country has been hindered. While some fuel dealers have described the situation as a “diesel shortage,” BPC officials insist that there is no actual shortage, and the delays are temporary and logistical in nature.

The disruption became noticeable last Tuesday, when fuel dealers across the country reported slower-than-usual operations at depots. Several dealers told our correspondents that vehicles arriving at depots in the morning were only being loaded with fuel late in the evening. A dealer from Godnail, Narayanganj, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “My truck arrived at Meghna Depot in the morning but only left in the evening after being loaded. When I inquired, depot staff said the diesel shipment from Chittagong had been delayed, leaving the depot temporarily short of fuel. Once the ship arrived, fuel was transferred to the depot tanks and then supplied to vehicles.”

Speaking on the matter, BPC’s Director of Operations and Planning, Dr AKM Azadur Rahman, stated, “Although there was a minor disruption, it should not be exaggerated. The labour unrest at Chittagong Port caused a brief delay in offloading fuel, but we have taken measures to prevent any real shortage. Diesel is now being offloaded via lighter vessels and dispatched to depots. More fuel-carrying ships are on the way, so supply will remain uninterrupted.”

Diesel remains the most in-demand petroleum product in Bangladesh. The country relies heavily on imported fuel, and even minor changes to the shipping schedule can affect supply, highlighting the importance of logistical efficiency in maintaining a steady fuel supply.

According to BPC sources, the country’s storage capacity and current fuel stocks are as follows:

A senior BPC official also confirmed that an additional 450,000 litres of diesel are expected to be offloaded in the coming days, with multiple shipments en route. Ships carrying jet fuel and octane are also at sea, ensuring that no significant disruption will occur in fuel availability.

This incident underscores the critical need for efficient port operations and contingency measures to manage fuel logistics, particularly for high-demand products such as diesel, where even minor delays in shipping can create temporary bottlenecks in supply.