Sufficient Fuel Supplies; Two Ships Arrive Tomorrow

Bangladesh’s fuel reserves are currently adequate, and authorities have assured the public that there is no immediate shortage despite recent panic buying. At Chittagong Port, one shipment has been offloaded over the past two days, and two additional tankers are scheduled to arrive tomorrow, Monday. Fuel imports have been secured according to projected demand through April, and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are not expected to impact the country’s supplies, as Chinese vessels remain exempt from the regional restrictions.

Nearly all petrol for private cars and motorcycles, as well as the majority of octane, is produced domestically. Meanwhile, the Energy Division has finalised the import of 280,000 tonnes of diesel through April, further ensuring stability. These figures were confirmed after discussions with officials from the Energy Division and the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).

Recent Panic and Supply Strains

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has sparked concerns over potential fuel shortages and price surges, prompting a surge in purchases over the past few days. On Saturday, many petrol stations ran out of stock before noon, with queues stretching up to 1.5 kilometres in Dhaka. Customers faced waits of two to three hours to fill their tanks.

Governmental regulations and operational routines contributed to the situation. Typically, depots suspend deliveries on Fridays and Saturdays, leading to reduced availability at stations. Fuel pump owners and operators have criticised BPC for not keeping depots partially operational on public holidays, which could have mitigated congestion.

Authorities emphasised that the apparent shortage is largely artificial, driven by panic buying and speculative hoarding for profit. In Singra, Natore, a businessman storing 10,000 litres of diesel underground was fined BDT 5,000 for illegal stockpiling.

Regional Distribution and Rationing

Long queues were observed across Dhaka, Khulna, Sylhet, Rajshahi, and Noakhali, particularly at stations serving motorcycles. In some locations, rationing was enforced, and a few stations temporarily closed after depleting stocks. Police were deployed in certain areas to manage crowds.

Fuel Supply Status

Officials confirmed that 14 fuel cargoes were scheduled, with the majority already arrived. Of the 15 shipments planned through April, 13 are guaranteed, with the remaining two deferred to May. Additional imports from Malaysia and Indonesia are planned to prevent any potential shortfall. Domestic production continues to meet nearly all petrol and most octane requirements.

Key Fuel Supply Data (as of March 7, 2026)

Energy Minister Ikbal Hasan Mahmud and State Minister Anindya Islam Amit reassured the public that fuel reserves are sufficient and that panic buying is unnecessary. With two shipments arriving tomorrow, supplies are expected to stabilise completely.