BD to import cleaner marine fuel

Bangladesh will start importing cleaner marine fuel with 0.5 per cent sulphur from July instead of 180 CST high sulphur fuel oil with 3.5 per cent sulphur as per the International Maritime Organization (IMO) guideline for cleaner environment.

State-run Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has already floated tender to import around 75,000 tonnes of cleaner marine fuel during July-December, 2020, a senior BPC official told the FE Monday.

Bid submission deadline is July 5. Validity of offer should be until October 2, 2020.

Shipment of the marine fuel should be on cost and freight (CFR) basis in Chattogram.

This is Bangladesh’s first tender to import marine fuel with 0.5 per cent sulphur from international suppliers.

BPC has moved to import this fuel in line with the decision of the cabinet committee on economic affairs.

The environment and forests ministry has long been instructing the state corporation to import cleaner gasoil and marine fuel for safer environment.

The country has already selected lowest bidders and completed negotiation will suppliers for importing 0.005 per cent sulphur diesel from July, instead of existing 0.05 per cent sulphur diesel.

BPC will import half of its total marine fuel requirement through tender and remaining half through negotiation with suppliers, said the BPC official.