Tehran seeks Bangladesh energy shipment details
The development came a day after the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requesting comprehensive updates on vessels carrying fuel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) destined for Bangladesh
The Energy Division yesterday provided the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a detailed list of six Bangladesh-bound vessels to facilitate diplomatic communication with Tehran regarding their safe transit through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in April.
The development came a day after the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requesting comprehensive updates on vessels carrying fuel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) destined for Bangladesh.
In response, the Energy Division provided a detailed list of six ships carrying nearly 5 lakh tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and approximately 79,000 tonnes of crude oil through the strait as the route remains clouded by mounting security concerns over the Iran war.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Tehran's letter came in response to Bangladesh's earlier diplomatic outreach seeking Iran's support in ensuring safe passage for its energy imports.
TBS has obtained copies of both Bangladesh's initial letter to the Iranian embassy and Iran's follow-up communication.
The request reflects growing anxiety over the safety of maritime traffic in one of the world's most critical energy corridors amid the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran.
Dhaka's earlier outreach to Tehran
The latest development follows Bangladesh's earlier diplomatic move on 15 March, when the Energy Division formally requested Iran's assistance.
In that communication, Bangladesh highlighted that three crude oil consignments – totalling approximately 3 lakh tonnes – had become uncertain due to heightened security risks in the region.
Recognising Iran's strategic position and influence over the strait, Dhaka urged Tehran to help ensure uninterrupted maritime transit for its fuel imports.
Six cargoes in focus
Of the six ships, five LNG shipments are set to originate from Qatar, while the crude oil cargo will come from Saudi Arabia.
The vessels are expected to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20% share of global oil and gas trade, making any disruption there a matter of grave concern for Bangladesh.
Detailed vessel data
The Energy Division prepared the details of each vessel. These include estimated loading dates, cargo capacity, origin and loading ports, as well as International Maritime Organization (IMO) identification numbers.
Four of the LNG cargoes are being sourced from QatarEnergy LNG and are scheduled for loading at Ras Laffan Port.
The first shipment will be carried by Al Areesh, a Bahamas-flagged vessel with a gross tonnage of 99,106, expected to load on 14 April.
The second cargo is assigned to Maran Gas Efessos, sailing under the Greek flag, with a gross tonnage of 1,03,928 and a scheduled loading date of 22 April.
A third LNG cargo will be transported by Al Marrouna, another Bahamas-flagged vessel with a tonnage of 99,106 and is expected to load on 27 April.
The fourth shipment is scheduled for loading on 10 May and will be carried by Lusail, also Bahamas-flagged, with a capacity of 95,824 tonnes.
In addition, Excelerate Gas Marketing LP is supplying another LNG cargo of 97,496 tonnes.
This shipment will be loaded on 2 April at Ras Laffan Port and transported by the Greek-flagged vessel Al Jassasiya.
Crude oil tanker already en route
Alongside the LNG shipments, a crude oil tanker chartered from Saudi Aramco is also part of the list shared with Iran. The vessel, MT Nordic Pollux, sails under the Cayman Islands flag and has a carrying capacity of 78,922 tonnes.
Officials confirmed that the tanker was loaded on 2 March at Ras Tanura Port in Saudi Arabia and is currently en route to Bangladesh. However, its passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain due to the prevailing security situation.
Hormuz tensions disrupt energy lifeline
The decision to seek Iran's support comes amid fears of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime choke point through which Bangladesh imports a significant share of its crude oil and LNG.
With tensions escalating since the outbreak of the war on 28 February, the route has become virtually closed for commercial shipping. As a result, long-term fuel supply arrangements have come under strain.
LNG and fuel deliveries under existing contracts are facing delays and unpredictability, forcing Bangladesh to increasingly rely on the volatile spot market.
Energy sector insiders say the cost implications have been severe.
Before the war, LNG prices hovered around $9-$10 per MMBtu. However, amid the ongoing crisis, state-owned Petrobangla was compelled to procure LNG at an average price of $23 per MMBtu – more than double the pre-war rate.
Officials within the Energy Division acknowledged that ensuring safe passage for Bangladesh-bound vessels is now critical for maintaining energy security and avoiding further financial strain.
"One cargo getting delayed or disrupted has a cascading effect on the entire supply chain," said one official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"If Bangladesh secures safe passage assurances from Iran, it would be like a lifeline at a time when every ship crossing Hormuz carries uncertainty."
Energy security at stake
With geopolitical tensions showing little sign of easing, Bangladesh's energy planners are navigating a highly uncertain landscape.
For Bangladesh, where energy imports underpin power generation, industrial output, and economic stability, even minor disruptions can have outsized consequences.
The government's proactive diplomatic engagement with Iran underscores the urgency of the situation.
As April approaches, much will depend on how the regional security dynamics evolve – and whether diplomatic efforts can keep Bangladesh's energy lifeline intact.
