Crisis managed: Bangladesh secures enough diesel imports for March supply
Import of 2.80 lakh tonnes of refined diesel have been finalised
Amid the Iran war, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has finalised the import of 2.80 lakh tonnes of diesel, with some already arriving, and another 1 lakh tonnes is in the process of being imported, ensuring sufficient fuel to meet demand for March.
Monir Hossain Chowdhury, joint secretary and head of Operation Wing of the Energy Mineral Resources Division, told The Business Standard today (7 March) that Bangladesh's monthly diesel demand is 3.80 lakh tonnes, adding that the BPC currently has over 1 lakh tonnes of diesel in stock.
The official said the 2.80 lakh tonnes of refined diesel imports have been finalised but declined to disclose the countries of origin or the prices for strategic reasons.
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Monir said that some of the 2.80 lakh tonnes of diesel have already started arriving, some is at sea on ships, and some is in the process of shipment, so there is no reason for a diesel shortage in March.
The official further said that imports of 1 lakh tonnes from four other sources are almost finalised and are now at the document processing stage with suppliers.
"This means there is no reason for a diesel shortage, and pumps will remain adequately supplied if no one buys extra diesel," he added.
PM briefed on energy security, assured of adequate supply
The Energy and Mineral Resources Division has informed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman about the latest fuel security situation in Bangladesh amid global uncertainty triggered by the war involving Iran in the Middle East.
"The prime minister has been briefed about the overall situation and he is providing necessary directives," Monir Hossain Chowdhury, joint secretary (operations) and head of the operation wing of the ministry's Energy and Mineral Resources Division, told The Business Standard.
He added that Bangladesh has been able to ensure its energy security in a short time despite global volatility in the fuel market.
'No reason to panic over petrol, octane supplies'
There is no reason for alarm regarding the supply of fuel, particularly petrol and octane, as the country's internal production is sufficient to meet the demand, officials at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division have said.
Bangladesh does not import petrol or octane, they told The Business Standard today (7 March). Since the internal demand for these two forms of fuel is met entirely through local production from domestic sources, there is no reason for a crisis.
