Chattogram, May 6, 2026 — Operations at Eastern Refinery Limited are set to return to full capacity after a vessel carrying 100,000 tonnes of crude oil arrived at Chattogram Port on Wednesday, ending weeks of supply uncertainty.
The vessel, MT Nyneamia, berthed at the port in the afternoon, enabling the country’s only state-owned refinery to resume operations once unloading is completed.
Managing Director Md. Sharif Hasnat said refining activities will restart immediately after the discharge process, with full production expected by May 8 or 9.
The refinery had been operating at reduced capacity throughout March and April due to delays in crude shipments linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. As scheduled cargoes failed to arrive on time, reserves were quickly depleted, forcing authorities to slow down and eventually halt refining operations.
According to officials from Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, the shipment was initially scheduled to depart from Ras Tanura Port. However, due to security risks, it was rerouted and departed instead from Yanbu Port on April 24.
The change in route, combined with global market volatility, has significantly increased import costs. The cargo is valued at approximately $100.84 million, with a per-barrel price of $126.28, while additional logistical expenses have pushed costs up by around Tk 607 crore.
The resumption of operations at Eastern Refinery is crucial for Bangladesh’s fuel supply. The refinery typically meets around 20% of national demand by processing crude oil into diesel, petrol, and other fuels, with the remaining 80% met through imports of refined petroleum products.
Officials expect that restoring full production will help stabilize the domestic fuel market in the coming days.
