A few companies are selling LPG at a higher price even though they bring it from abroad at a lower price. Not only that, it is alleged that this fuel is being brought from Iran by talking about Iraq. It has been alleged that 2200 crore rupees have been smuggled in this process in 8 months since last January. The executive director of TIB urged to look into the matter. Iftekharuzzaman.

LPG was imported by two Iranian ships which were banned from trade at Chittagong port's outer anchorage. It has been reported that a top business firm of Chittagong has illegally imported two ships of LPG 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. A group allegedly organized by Loab illegally imported 256,252 tonnes of LPG from the embargoed state between January and August last year. Through this, 175 million dollars have been smuggled out of the country.

The much-controversial business firm of Chittagong helped open LCs for illegal LPG imports through several banks. It is also mentioned in the complaint that the issues were reported to Bangladesh Bank earlier but they were not heeded.

LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) mentioned the names of the two ships and complained that some companies of that group in Chittagong 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. It is also mentioned in the complaint that a ship called GYMM coming to Chittagong port is being used for this illegal import.

On investigation, it was found that the registration number (IMO number: 9139696) of the ship named GYMM which anchored at Chittagong Port is the same as the registration number of another ship named J Tiger. This vessel imported 20,100 metric tons of LPG from Iraq showing loading from Khar Al Jubair port in Iraq. Copies of Chittagong Customs Bill of Entry and Import General Menufest (IGM) have been attached to the complaint as evidence.

Besides, a Panamanian flagged vessel GAZ GMS Cargo (IMO number 9131539) arrived at Chittagong Port with an LPG tanker on October 5 and transferred LPG through ship-to-ship transfer. Earlier, it anchored at Sharjah port in the United Arab Emirates on September 8 after staying at an Iranian port for a month from August 8.

Since Iran is a US-sanctioned country, the Chittagong Port Authority has been informed about the import of LPG from there. Based on the specific complaint, the Chittagong Port Authority detained the GAZ GMS ship but ultimately released it without taking any action.

Another cargo ship named Captain Nicholas also arrived directly from Iran to Bangladesh. Various documents of the National Board of Revenue showed that the Tanzanian flagged ship Captain Nicholas with IMO number 9008108 left Khoramsha port in Iran on September 16 with cargo of LPG.

The biggest problem with LPG imported from Iran is that this gas has no smell. As a result, if there is a gas leakage, the customer does not realize it. As a result, the risk of accidents is high. As per the Ministry of Energy Act, imported LPG must contain odor.

But 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 JYMM vessel for export. Besides, they have not loaded any LPG for export from Khar Al Jubair port either. A confirmation certificate from Iraq's Basra Gas Company is also attached to the letter.

According to the complaint, LPG imported from banned countries does not have the right combination of propane and butane (butane), the main ingredients, which have quality defects, which can lead to 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.

The letter signed by LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) President Azam J Chowdhury has caused a lot of uproar. According to the letter, there are illegally imported LPG in two ships named J YMM and Captain Nicholas currently anchored outside Chittagong port. To investigate the incident, a team led by member Harbor of Chittagong Port Authority went to outer anchorage and inspected the two ships last Thursday.

When Chittagong Port Authority Secretary Mohammad Omar Farooq was contacted about the matter, he admitted to having received a complaint letter. He said that a team has come to inspect the two ships. However, he refused to comment on this.

According to Loab, consumption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has increased in the country. LPG is used as an important and environmentally friendly fuel in domestic, commercial and industrial applications. LPG imported from different countries of the world is being bottled and marketed nationwide. The country currently has an annual demand of around 14 lakh tonnes of LPG. Of this, only two percent of LPG is produced at the Eastorn Refinery. The rest of the demand is being imported from various countries including Türkiye, Qatar and Africa.