Vessel arrives in Chittagong Port with 31,000 tonnes of oil amid Middle East tensions

A vessel carrying 31,000 metric tonnes of fuel oil has arrived at Chittagong Port amid an energy crisis due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The vessel, MT Gran Couva, reached the port’s territorial waters on Thursday carrying 10,000 tonnes of diesel and 20,000 tonnes of jet fuel.

Chittagong Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim confirmed that the ship is currently stationed at the Kutubdia Channel.

According to official data, another vessel, MT PVT Selena, is scheduled to arrive from Malaysia next Tuesday with an additional 30,000 tonnes of fuel oil.

In addition to oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies are also arriving.

The HL Puffin, carrying 61,000 tonnes of LNG, was expected at the outer anchorage on Thursday, followed by the New Brave on Friday.

Another LNG carrier, the Celsius Galapagos, is slated to arrive on Apr 4.

Over the past month, 29 vessels carrying fuel oil, LNG, and LPG have reached the country.

Bangladesh requires an average of 6.5 to 6.8 million tonnes of fuel oil annually.

While 20 percent of the demand is met by crude oil imported from the Middle East, the remaining 80 percent is imported as refined fuel from seven countries, including Singapore, China, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.