Bangladesh is unlikely to face any immediate disruption to its imports of oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal despite escalating conflict in the Middle East, according to energy officials and sector experts.
While shipments already en route are expected to arrive on schedule, authorities have cautioned that a prolonged crisis could push up global fuel prices and increase import costs.
The country's gas supply situation is expected to remain stable at least until late March, as around half a dozen LNG cargoes had already crossed the troubled Strait of Hormuz before the outbreak of hostilities.
The cargoes are scheduled to reach floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) on time, a senior Petrobangla official told The Financial Express on Sunday.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important waterways, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Roughly 20 per cent of global crude oil and a significant share of LNG shipments pass through it daily.
If the Strait remains closed for more than a month, LNG supply from QatarEnergy could be affected, the official said.
However, other long-term suppliers, including Oman's OQ Trading and US-based Excelerate Energy, are expected to continue deliveries without disruption.
Bangladesh currently relies heavily on long-term LNG contracts with QatarEnergy, OQ Trading and Excelerate Energy to meet domestic demand, amid declining local gas production and reduced purchases from the volatile spot market, industry insiders said.
Saudi Arabia's Aramco is also set to begin LNG supplies within the next couple of months under a short-term agreement.
Reduced reliance on spot market purchases is helping the country secure LNG at more stable prices, avoiding sharp volatility, they added.
According to Petrobangla data, the state-run entity has imported only two LNG cargoes from the spot market in 2026 so far, compared with 49 cargoes in 2025.
Officials also said petroleum product imports are unlikely to face immediate difficulties.
"We have already finalised deals with refined oil suppliers for imports until June 2026 through both government-to-government agreements and the tendering process," said Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman Md Rezanur Rahman.
Oil supply is expected to remain uninterrupted even if the Strait of Hormuz is closed for an extended period, as most refined products like diesel, furnace oil, jet fuel and octane will be sourced from China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore until at least June, thereby avoiding the Hormuz route, he said.
"Besides, we have more than 15 days' worth of oil stocks, and additional cargoes are already on the way," the BPC chairman added.
He also noted that crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi would continue through alternative routes, bypassing the Strait.
"We have already settled premium rates for fuel imports until June, but prices may rise in line with global trends if the conflict persists," Mr Rahman said.
Coal imports for power generation are also unlikely to be affected, as Bangladesh sources coal from Australia, Indonesia and South Africa, avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, said a senior official of Coal Power Generation Company Ltd.
Despite the expected continuity in supply, officials and market stakeholders expressed concern that a prolonged conflict could drive up global fuel prices.
Over the past decade, Bangladesh's dependence on energy imports has steadily increased to meet growing domestic demand, officials said.
The country imports around 110 LNG cargoes annually, meeting roughly 35 per cent of domestic natural gas demand.
It also imports approximately 7.5 million tonnes of crude and refined petroleum products combined each year, largely from Middle Eastern suppliers.
In addition, around 15 million tonnes of coal are imported annually to fuel coal-fired power plants.
Azizjst@yahoo.com
