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Chairman Dr. Md Rafiqul Islam
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman Dr. Md Rafiqul Islam has assured that despite multifaceted global headwinds, the country faces no fuel oil shortage at present and maintains a safe buffer through December.
Speaking on Tuesday evening at an introductory and exchange-of-views meeting with journalists at BPC's head office on Sarson Road in Chattogram following his assumption of office, Dr. Islam detailed the government's comprehensive measures to maintain energy stability. He revealed that selling fuel at subsidized rates after buying at high international prices between March and July necessitated subsidies of nearly Tk 20,000 crore, with an estimated additional Tk 11,000 crore required through December. Despite this strain on state import expenditure, the government has absorbed the burden to protect public interest while actively formulating a policy framework to permit private sector imports of refined petroleum products to guarantee uninterrupted supplies.
The BPC chairman highlighted compounding international logistics hurdles, noting supply chain vulnerabilities stemming from geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and disruptions along Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline. Nevertheless, he reiterated that domestic inventories remain stable through December as BPC mobilizes its institutional capacity to absorb supply gaps. The corporation is executing targeted short-term measures to prevent procurement disruptions alongside sustained medium- and long-term planning, including ensuring streamlined jet fuel distribution once Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s Third Terminal opens in December.
Regarding liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports, Dr. Islam outlined a two-stage strategy incorporating a Floating Storage Unit (FSU) at Matarbari alongside bulk imports via Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGC) for distribution to certified marketing operators. He added that an interim consignment under direct contract is expected by the end of this month, while a bulk VLGC shipment is projected between December and January. Feasibility studies and infrastructure preparations for berthing the FSU at Matarbari remain underway to expedite regular high-volume imports. Senior BPC officials attended the briefing.
https://thedailyexpress.news/news/national/1f1b12af-be4b-6a90-8222-94b235e2adf1