Bangladesh rations fuel, shuts universities as Middle East war deepens energy crisis

DHAKA: Bangladesh has introduced fuel rationing and ordered the closure of universities as emergency measures to manage an energy crisis triggered by disruptions in global fuel markets due to the Middle East conflict.

Authorities capped fuel purchases for several types of vehicles after panic buying and hoarding spread amid concerns about supply disruptions. Motorcyclists, for example, are now limited to two litres per refuelling, the state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) said.

The restrictions led to long queues at fuel stations in the capital Dhaka, with many motorists waiting over an hour to buy limited quantities of fuel.

Bangladesh imports about 95 percent of its oil and gas needs, leaving the country vulnerable to global energy market disruptions following attacks involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

“Consumers tend to buy more than they usually purchase during times of crisis,” BPC said in a statement.

The situation turned tense in parts of the country. In the southern district of Jhenaidah, a 25-year-old man was killed after an altercation with petrol station staff over refuelling. Following the incident, angry crowds burned three buses and damaged a filling station, police said.

Authorities said the number of customers at some fuel stations had nearly doubled after the restrictions were introduced.

The government has also moved to reduce electricity consumption by ordering all public and private universities to close from Monday, advancing the Eid al-Fitr holidays.

Officials said university campuses consume large amounts of electricity due to residential halls, classrooms and laboratories, and closing them would help ease pressure on the power system and reduce traffic-related fuel consumption.

Schools in Bangladesh are already closed for Ramadan, meaning most educational institutions will remain shut during the period.

The energy shortage has also affected industrial operations. Four of the country’s five state-run fertiliser factories have halted production due to gas shortages, with available gas being redirected to power plants to prevent large-scale electricity outages.

Bangladesh has also turned to the international market to purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG) at higher prices while seeking additional cargoes to bridge supply gaps.

Officials said the government is also asking foreign-curriculum schools and private coaching centres to suspend operations temporarily to limit electricity consumption.

“We are doing everything we can to reduce consumption and ensure stability in power, fuel and import supplies,” a senior energy ministry official said.

Fuel deliveries are expected soon, BPC said, but authorities warned that further measures may be required if global supply disruptions persist.