Govt plans FSRU in Mongla to strengthen fuel security: Rabiul Alam

The government is considering establishing a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Mongla to strengthen fuel security in the southern region and the three southwestern divisions, Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said today (17 August).

"If an FSRU is established there, the fuel security of the southern region and the three divisions will be ensured," he said at an exchange of views with journalists at the Bagerhat Press Club auditorium this afternoon.

Bangladesh currently has two FSRUs in Chattogram. Rabiul Alam said establishing another unit in Mongla would be justified.

He, who also serves as the minister for road transport and bridges, and railways, said officials had conducted navigability and other practical assessments of Akram Point and the surrounding areas, and the government would take necessary steps to establish an FSRU there.

The minister also said the government is taking short-, medium- and long-term measures to address the country's ongoing fuel crisis.

"The previous government created a crisis over fuel. You are seeing its negative impact. Short-, medium- and long-term plans are being taken to overcome the crisis. I hope the problem will be resolved, but not overnight. It will take some time," he said.

Rabiul Alam also outlined plans to develop Mongla Port, saying a Chinese company would establish an economic zone in the port area, creating employment for around 85,000 people.

He said the government aims to maintain a navigable depth of 12 metres in the Mongla Port channel through regular dredging, allowing larger vessels to use the port.

"Mongla Port currently contributes around 5–6% to the economy as a port. It is possible to increase this to 30–35%," he said.

Speaking about the media, Rabiul Alam said journalists, like other sectors, had experienced deviations and urged greater caution.

"Journalists' development will not be measured by wealth and assets, but by intellect. Businesspeople develop through wealth, technology develops through science, and journalists develop through investigation," he said.

Earlier in the day, the minister inaugurated the reconstruction and renovation of a 10km section of the Dashani-Rampal-Mongla district highway, from Dashani to Gilatala, in Bagerhat city.

The 34km Dashani-Rampal-Mongla road project began in 2021 under four packages. Work on the 10km Dashani-Gilatala section had remained stalled for a prolonged period due to the contractor's failure to make progress.

The Roads and Highways Department recently cancelled the previous contractor's work order and appointed a new contractor. Mafuz Khan Limited is carrying out the work at a cost of Tk72.98 crore, with completion scheduled for June 2027.

Bagerhat-2 MP Shaikh Monzurul Haque Rahad, Bagerhat-4 MP Md Abdul Alim, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Golam Md Baten, Superintendent of Police (SP) Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar and other officials attended the inauguration.

Later in the afternoon, the minister held a meeting with BNP leaders and activists at the district council auditorium.