Govt in talks with Iran for oil imports via Strait of Hormuz: Energy Division

The country has sufficient fuel reserves, the Energy Division has stated. It also informed that the government has held talks with Iran regarding oil imports through the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, a process is underway to import 600,000 tonnes of diesel from Russia.

Joint Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division Monir Hossain Chowdhury shared this information at a briefing on the fuel situation at the Ministry of Energy on Monday, March 30.

He informed that the country currently has a diesel stock of approximately 133,000 tonnes. Additionally, 54,600 tonnes of oil are expected to arrive in the country between March 30 and April 3. In April, another 154,000 tonnes of oil will be imported from various countries, including Malaysia.

The government is already importing oil from India and Indonesia. Efforts are also ongoing to source oil from Singapore, Nigeria and the United States.

Monir Hossain said at the briefing that while there are no issues with Bangladeshi vessels using the Strait of Hormuz, complications may arise in some cases as not all vessels are Bangladeshi-flagged.

He further informed that discussions are ongoing regarding the import of 600,000 metric tonnes of diesel from Russia for a period of two months. In this regard, permission from the United States has also been sought due to international sanctions. He also said that 22,000 metric tonnes of diesel have already been obtained from India.

Stating that diesel supply to the agriculture sector has been given top priority in the current situation, he said efforts are being made to deliver fuel to farmers through upazila administrations.

The Energy Division claims that the country has sufficient oil reserves and there is no reason to panic. However, the government has urged citizens to be economical in fuel use given the ongoing international situation.