B Mirror Report: Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, 15 cargo vessels carrying nearly 250,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), fuel oil and industrial raw materials have reached Chattogram Port after safely crossing the Strait of Hormuz, port authorities said on Saturday.

The ships departed from different ports in the Middle East and successfully passed through the crucial maritime route before the regional conflict intensified. Authorities said unloading activities are now underway at the port.

According to port sources, four vessels are carrying around 247,000 tonnes of LNG, mainly imported from Ras Laffan Port in Qatar. The imported LNG will be used to meet the country’s increasing gas demand, particularly for power generation and industrial operations.

Besides LNG, one vessel has delivered liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for household cooking as well as for hotels, restaurants and small industries. Several other ships are transporting furnace oil for power plants, diesel for industrial use and other petroleum products.

Port officials said some cargo vessels have also brought industrial raw materials such as chemicals, petrochemicals and materials used in the plastic industry, which will support the country’s manufacturing sector.

Officials noted that the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical global routes for energy transportation, and any disruption to shipping through the strait due to regional conflict could have a major impact on global fuel supplies.

The safe arrival of these vessels before tensions escalated has provided relief to Bangladesh’s energy and import supply chain, officials added.

Syed Refaet Hamim, secretary of the Chattogram Port Authority, said the vessels had crossed the Strait of Hormuz before the situation in the Middle East worsened and have now begun arriving at the port.

Among the ships are LNG tankers “Lusail” and “Al Galael”, carrying fuel for marine vessels along with raw materials needed by local industries.

The shipments also include supplies for plastic and petrochemical factories, as well as materials used in the garment, plastic and chemical industries in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Md Nurul Alam, senior deputy general manager of Uni Global Business Limited, said four more ships are expected to arrive at Chattogram Port soon.