Second UAE crude shipment in two months sails for Chattogram

The arrival of the MT Ninemia is expected to strengthen refinery operations as earlier import disruptions have already been restored

Another crude oil tanker is on its way to Chattogram from the United Arab Emirates, the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has said.

It is the vessel's second trip to Bangladesh within two months.

The MT Ninemia is due at Chittagong Port on Wednesday carrying 100,000 tonnes of crude oil from Fujairah Port in the UAE, BSC Managing Director Mahmudul Malek said.

"The vessel is on its way to Bangladesh. It will arrive [on Wednesday]," he said.

The same tanker made its first run on May 6, arriving at Chittagong Port's Kutubdia channel with 100,000 tonnes of crude loaded at Yanbu Port in Saudi Arabia.

In mid-May, another tanker, the MT Fossil, also brought 100,000 tonnes of crude from the UAE.

The shipments come after a prolonged supply disruption. Crude imports to Bangladesh ground to a halt from Feb 18 after the Iran war triggered instability across West Asia and the Strait of Hormuz was shut down.

The shortage forced the country's only state-owned refinery, Eastern Refinery, to nearly suspend operations from Apr 14.

Once the MT Ninemia delivered its first cargo on May 6, Eastern Refinery resumed full production.

BSC’s Malek said there is no crude oil shortage at present.