Work together to further strengthen fuel supply

CHATTOGRAM, Mar 09: An important coordination meeting on ensuring uninterrupted supply chain of fuel oil and bunkering was held at the conference room of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) on Monday.

The meeting was presided over by CPA Chairman Rear Admiral S. M. Moniruzzaman. The meeting was informed that despite the global war situation and the instability of fuel oil in the international market, the supply and handling of fuel products through ships arriving at this major seaport of the country is completely normal.

According to the decision of the meeting, to further accelerate the energy supply system, the fuel requirements of both government and private sectors will be assessed in a coordinated manner, while fuel-carrying ships will be provided with berthing facilities on a priority basis at the Chittagong Port.

CPA Chairman Rear Admiral S. M. Moniruzzaman said that since most of the bunkering and related fuel supply sources for ships arriving at Chittagong Port are centered in Singapore and Malaysia, the impact of global geopolitical instability is negligible. He called on all relevant organisations to work together to further strengthen fuel supply and explore alternative sources.

The latest statistics of Chittagong Port presented at the meeting revealed that there is a regular and significant presence of fuel tankers from various countries including the Gulf region. A total of 14 fuel tankers are currently anchored or on their way to the port, including 5 LNG and 2 LPG tankers from Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Along with ships carrying diesel and furnace oil from Singapore and Malaysia, these ships present a strong and uninterrupted picture of the country's energy security. The continuous arrival of these ships with large quantities of fuel products and the rapid berthing arrangements prove that there is currently no congestion at the port and the fuel supply is being managed in a very orderly manner.

The speakers at the meeting said that the country's current energy reserves are satisfactory and there is full capacity to ensure supply as per demand. There is no obstacle in meeting the energy needs of the maritime, commercial and industrial sectors in particular.

The meeting was attended by all members of the port, senior officials, representatives of BPC, representatives of the Department of Shipping, representatives of Bangladesh Navy, representatives of Bangladesh Coast Guard, Omera Fuel Limited, Padma Oil Company, representatives of Bangladesh Oceangoing Ship Owners Association, representatives of Coastal Ship Owners Association of Bangladesh, representatives of Bangladesh Ship Handling and Berth Operators Association and other important stakeholders of the port.

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