An acute fuel shortage, triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has halted fishing operations in one of the country’s major marine fish-landing regions. Thousands of fishermen are unable to head to sea due to a lack of diesel, leaving many fishing families facing deep uncertainty.
The crisis has intensified along the coastal areas beside the Bakkhali River in Cox’s Bazar. Floating fuel stations on the river have been facing severe diesel shortages for several days, forcing many operators to suspend operations. As a result, numerous fishing trawlers remain anchored along the riverbanks while fishermen wait for fuel supplies.
At the Majhirghat area of the Bakkhali River, floating petrol pumps were seen closed with plastic covers as no diesel had been available for the past three days. Despite the shutdown, fishermen continue to wait in hope of fuel supplies.
Didarul Alam, a fisherman from the trawler FB Mayer Doa owned by Taslim Majhi of Khurushkul, expressed frustration over the situation.
“We are poor people. We risk our lives to go to sea to fish and earn a living. The sea is dangerous, but we still go because we have families to support,” he said. “Now when we come to the fuel stations, we find there is no diesel, and the pumps are closed. Without fuel, how can we go to sea? And if we cannot go to sea, how will we run our families?”
He added that many family members depend on his income.
“It is not only me—many people at home rely on me. If we cannot catch fish and earn money, how will we feed our families? We are just waiting for diesel now. He said, “We don’t know when fuel will arrive or when we can go back to the sea.”
Most of the 21 floating fuel stations shut
The situation is not limited to Majhirghat. Almost all of the 21 floating fuel stations along the Bakkhali River are facing the same problem. Thousands of fishing trawlers in Cox’s Bazar depend on these stations for fuel. However, many of them have remained closed for the past seven days, while some have been shut for at least three days.
As fishermen continue to search for fuel, long rows of trawlers can be seen anchored along the riverbanks waiting for supplies.
Abdu Shukkur, skipper of the trawler FB Shah Majidia, anchored near Chairman Ghat, said they have been checking with fuel stations for diesel but have not found any.
“We came to the pump to take fuel, but there is none available. The pump operators say they can supply diesel only if they receive it themselves,” he said. “Without fuel, going to sea is impossible. We have been waiting at the jetty for two days, hoping for fuel. Our trawler alone needs around 2,000 litres of diesel, but we cannot go fishing because there is none available.”
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
