A commotion has started over the import of LPG in two Iranian ships which have been imposed trade restrictions at the outer anchorage of Chittagong port.

Allegations have been made that Chittagong's top business firm S Alam Group has illegally imported LPG in two ships from Iran. LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) raised this complaint.

Recently, this complaint has been made against the Shipping Adviser, the Governor of Bangladesh Bank and the Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority. A five-member team of the Chittagong Port Authority also inspected the two ships to investigate the complaint.

According to Loab, an organized gang has illegally imported 256,252 tonnes of LPG from the embargoed countries from last January to August. Through this, 175 million dollars have been smuggled out of the country.

LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) citing the names of the two vessels alleged that some companies of Chittagong's S Alam Group are illegally importing and marketing LPG from the embargoed country Iran.

The LPG imported from Iran is first being shipped to Iraq and later imported to Bangladesh showing cargo load information from Iraqi ports. The complaint also mentions that a ship named G YMM arriving at Chittagong Port is being used for this illegal importation.

Iraq's Basra Gas Company authorities say they are the only authorized Iraqi company to export LPG through Umm Qasr port. But they did not load any LPG in J YMM vessel for export. Besides, they have not loaded any LPG for export from Khar Al Jubair port as well. A confirmation certificate from Basra Gas Company, Iraq is also attached to the letter.

According to the complaint, the LPG imported from the embargoed countries has quality defects due to lack of proper combination of propane and butane (flavor), the main ingredients. which may cause accidents. LPG imported into Bangladesh must be flavored. So that if there is a leak in the kitchen for any reason, it can be detected. Sources also confirmed that LPG imported from Iran does not have proper use of odor. Besides, illegal and irregular importation of a cycle of LPG has created unhealthy competition in the market.