Cargo handling and logistics operations linked to Port of Chittagong have faced disruptions due to a shortage of fuel oil, affecting inland depots and lighter vessel services that play a critical role in cargo movement at the busy Bangladeshi gateway.
Industry sources said many container depots and lighter vessels operating in and around Chittagong have struggled to maintain normal operations as limited fuel supplies have constrained vessel movements and cargo transfers.
Lighter vessels are widely used to transport containers between mother ships anchored offshore and port terminals, particularly when berth availability is limited. The shortage has slowed these operations, creating delays in container handling and cargo deliveries.
The fuel crunch has also affected the functioning of several inland container depots that rely on steady fuel supplies to run equipment and maintain logistics services. As a result, cargo clearance and container transportation have experienced intermittent delays.
Officials and industry stakeholders in Bangladesh are working to stabilise fuel supply and minimise the impact on port logistics, as the Port of Chittagong remains the country’s primary maritime gateway handling the majority of its international trade.
Shipping agents say that if the shortage persists, it could lead to further congestion and operational bottlenecks, affecting both import and export shipments moving through the port.