Prince Mondal Olif, Bagerhat District Correspondent:

Cargo unloading activities at Mongla Port have slowed down due to a shortage of fuel. Lighter vessels, which are used to transport goods from large commercial ships, are unable to operate because they are not getting enough fuel. As a result, overall port operations are being affected and importers are facing financial losses.

According to vessel operators, many lighter ships are sitting idle in the river due to lack of fuel. Because of this, cargo such as food grains, fertilizer, and industrial raw materials cannot be unloaded from mother vessels on time. Importers are also paying extra charges as ships are forced to stay longer than scheduled.

Mohammad Rezaul Islam, Master of MV R Rashid-1 lighter vessel, said his vessel has been stuck in the Pashur River for about a week due to fuel shortage. Without fuel, they cannot transport goods from large ships.

Owner of MV Mimtaj lighter vessel, Md. Khokon, said they contacted local fuel supplier SK Enterprise, but the company informed them that they are not receiving enough fuel from depots.

Md. Mamun, an official of Seven Circle Cement factory in Rupsha, said they are unable to unload raw materials from ships due to the shortage of lighter vessels. As a result, they are paying about 17,000 US dollars per day as extra cost.

AGM of Sheikh Cement, Azadul Haque, said the factory is facing raw material shortage due to fuel crisis, which is affecting production activities.

H M Dulal, owner of Messrs Nuru and Sons and marine fuel dealer of Meghna Petroleum Limited in Mongla, said they are not receiving fuel according to demand.

Engineer Probir Hira, Manager (Operations) of Meghna Petroleum Limited in Mongla, said fuel supply is limited due to global situation and distribution is being done following government instructions.

Business leaders fear that if fuel supply does not improve soon, industrial production and import activities may face serious problems.