Facing growing uncertainty triggered by tensions in the Middle East, Bangladesh has moved to secure its energy supply by sourcing crude oil from alternative routes, including a fresh import of 100,000 metric tonnes from Saudi Arabia.
Government officials said the decision comes as a response to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, where a tanker carrying an equivalent volume of crude oil remains stranded. The vessel, MT Nordic Pollux, is currently anchored at Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura port, awaiting special clearance from Iranian authorities before it can proceed to Bangladesh.
Commodore Mahmudul Malek, Managing Director of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, said diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure the vessel’s release. “We are actively engaging through diplomatic channels to obtain the necessary clearance. Once approved, the ship will sail directly to Chattogram,” he noted.
To mitigate such risks, Bangladesh has opted for an alternative supply line. The newly procured crude oil will be shipped from Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port along the Red Sea—a route that bypasses the volatile Hormuz corridor and is considered relatively secure under current geopolitical conditions.
Loading of the new shipment is scheduled for April 20, with arrival expected in early May. Once both consignments reach Chattogram, a total of 200,000 metric tonnes of crude oil will be processed at the state-owned Eastern Refinery Limited.
Energy officials estimate that the refined output will include substantial quantities of diesel, petrol, octane, furnace oil, and kerosene, helping ease pressure on the domestic fuel market.
Experts caution, however, that while these measures may provide short-term relief, Bangladesh may need to further diversify its import sources to meet rising demand. Authorities have indicated that efforts are underway to broaden supply channels and strengthen energy security amid an increasingly volatile global landscape.