CHATTOGRAM, April 21, (V7N) — Bangladesh’s lone state‑owned oil refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL), is set to resume production after the departure of a crude oil shipment from Saudi Arabia.

The Chinese vessel MT Ninemia left Yanbu Port at 3am Saudi time on April 20, carrying 100,000 tonnes of crude oil. It is expected to arrive at Chattogram Port’s outer anchorage on May 5 or 6, from where the crude will be transported to ERL in Patenga by lighterages.

Production at ERL’s two main units had been suspended since April 13 due to a shortage of crude oil, after running for six weeks on stored reserves. Deputy General Manager Md. Mostafizur Rahman confirmed that full production will resume once the shipment arrives.

The import route has shifted through the Red Sea and Bab el Mandeb due to conflicts that closed the Strait of Hormuz. Another vessel, the Nordic Pollux, remains stranded at Ras Tanura port with 100,000 tonnes of crude, unable to enter Bangladesh without Iranian clearance.

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation MD Commodore Mahmudul Malek said two more ships carrying 200,000 tonnes of crude oil from Saudi Arabia and the UAE are scheduled to arrive in May. Efforts to import from Malaysia did not materialize.

Bangladesh’s annual fuel demand is 7.2 million tonnes, with Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) importing 92 percent. ERL refines 1.5 million tonnes of crude annually, while the country imports 65–68 million tonnes of fuel oil, mostly diesel and crude.

The February 18 arrival of a crude shipment was the last before Middle East conflicts disrupted supply, leading to ERL’s shutdown. The resumption of imports is expected to stabilize refinery operations and reduce reliance on costly refined oil purchases from the spot market.

END/AJ/RH/