State Minister for power, energy and mineral resources Aninda Islam Amit. File photo

DHAKA, April 14, 2026 (BSS) - The government has been importing refined fuel from alternative international sources to maintain national gasoline supply as operations of the Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) faced a crude oil crisis since Middle East conflict.

"The government has been importing more refined fuel from alternative sources to ensure a smooth supply chain,” state minister for power, energy and mineral resources Aninda Islam Amit told BSS here today.

He said that the government has been importing refined oil from China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and India to meet the present situation, following disruption in the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the ministry, the ERL, the country’s sole oil refinery, meets one-fifth of the national annual demand for fuel by processing crude oil primarily imported from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Currently, ERL is forcing crude oil shortage due to the Middle East crisis and closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

It said the ERL has the capacity of refining approximately 15 lakh metric tons of petroleum products, including six lakh metric tons of diesel, six lakh metric tons of furnace oil and three lakh metric tons  of octane and petrol annually. 

The remaining fuel is being imported in refined form, the ministry sources said.

The total diesel demand in the country is about 4.5 million metric tons. Out of which, 1.5 million metric tons comes from ERL. 

Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the Middle East conflict on February 28, it was not possible to import crude oil according to the schedule in March and April.

Although the cargo was loaded with 100,000 metric tons of Arabian Light Crude (ALC) in March 2026, the ship is currently at Ras Tanura port in Arabian Gulf and is yet to cross the Strait of Hormuz due to security reasons.

Shipment of another 100,000 metric tons has already been cancelled by the supplier.

It is expected that an Arabian Light Crude cargo scheduled for April 2026 will be loaded on  April 17-18, 2026 and will reach Chattogram in early May without using the Strait of Hormuz.

The ministry said that in addition, the government requested Saudi Aramco for a Murban cargo to ensure supply, which will also reach Bangladesh in May.

Besides, work orders have been issued for importing 100,000 metric tons of crude oil through direct purchase method to meet urgent needs at a cost of US$ 102.885 million.

The government has continued to import refined fuel oil from alternative sources. As a result, even if the ERL is closed, there will be no adverse impact on the supply channel.