Fuel Crisis Paralyzes Chattogram–Pangaon Route,

Container transportation on the Chattogram–Pangaon inland waterway route has nearly collapsed due to an acute fuel crisis, leaving vessels stranded and containers piling up at both ends of the route.
The main operator, Sea Glory Shipping Agencies Ltd., has been unable to secure bunker fuel for its vessels, forcing it to suspend operations entirely. As a result, a key alternative supply chain for Bangladesh’s export-oriented economy has been severely disrupted.
Industry insiders said vessel movement has come to a standstill, with ships remaining anchored despite being ready for operation. “We have vessels anchored, ready and waiting, but they cannot move. We cannot secure bunker fuel anywhere,” a senior official of Sea Glory told The News Paper.
The official also alleged that some fuel suppliers are demanding rates as high as Tk 114 per litre, significantly above the government-approved price, worsening the crisis.
The impact has created a logistical gridlock. At the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (ICT), hundreds of containers filled with export-ready garments are stuck, missing shipment deadlines to international markets. At the same time, Chattogram Port is facing congestion as import containers carrying raw materials for factories in Dhaka remain undelivered.
Exporters have expressed serious concern over the disruption. A former leader of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said, “Sea Glory is the lifeline of this route. If their vessels stop, everything stops. Our raw materials are stuck in Chattogram, and finished goods are stuck at Pangaon. This double blow is causing heavy financial losses.”
The crisis is closely linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route. The instability has tightened fuel supplies across South Asia, including Bangladesh, which heavily depends on imported fuel.
Experts warn that the situation threatens to derail the government’s long-term plan to expand inland waterway transport. Currently, only about 1% of container transportation in Bangladesh uses waterways, compared to 96% by road. The shutdown of a major operator like Sea Glory raises concerns that the sector could become completely inoperative.
Meanwhile, the government is reportedly seeking emergency fuel support from neighboring India to manage the broader energy crisis. However, officials from the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) acknowledged that ensuring fuel supply for inland vessels remains a significant challenge.
“We are aware of the situation and are in communication with the relevant authorities,” a CPA official said. “Efforts are underway to find a solution before the supply chain is further disrupted.”
As the crisis deepens, exporters and industry stakeholders are urging immediate intervention to restore fuel supply and resume vessel operations on this critical route.