Bangladesh to import 1,00,000 tonnes of crude oil from Saudi via alternative route

Bangladesh is set to import 100,000 metric tonnes of crude oil from Saudi Arabia through an alternative route to bypass complications in the Strait of Hormuz.

The shipment will be loaded at Yanbu Commercial Port, located near the Red Sea, and transported directly to the state-owned Eastern Refinery in Chattogram via the Red Sea route.

The oil tanker is scheduled to load on April 20.

Meanwhile, another tanker, MT Nordic Pollux, carrying 1,00,000 metric tonnes of crude oil remains stranded due to transit restrictions linked to the Hormuz route.

Although currently positioned at Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura port, the vessel has yet to receive special clearance from Iranian authorities and is not among the six Bangladeshi ships recently granted passage approval.

According to Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), a total of 200,000 metric tonnes of crude oil—combined from two shipments—is expected to arrive at Chattogram Port by the first week of May, which is likely to ease the ongoing fuel supply pressure.

Eastern Refinery officials said the crude will yield significant volumes of refined products, including diesel, petrol, octane, furnace oil, and kerosene.

BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said diplomatic efforts are underway to secure clearance for the stranded vessel, adding that it will proceed to Chattogram once approval is granted.

He also noted that sourcing crude from Yanbu allows Bangladesh to avoid the Hormuz chokepoint, reducing exposure to geopolitical and military risks.

BSC data shows that at least 33 vessels carrying crude oil, LPG, and LNG have arrived at Chattogram Port since early March.