Category: Energy and Power

Ocean temperatures hit near-record highs for March, the Copernicus Climate Change Service said on Friday, signalling a likely shift toward El Nino conditions that can amplify heat extremes on an already warming planet. Copernicus said average sea surface temperatures were 20.97C in March, the secondhighest value ever for the month, and the hottest since 2024 during the last El Nino, when global heat records toppled.

this re?ected ‘a likely transition toward El Nino conditions’, said Copernicus, the European Union’s global warming monitor. Several meteorological agencies had predicted the return this year of El Nino, a natural climate cycle that warms Paci?c waters and can bring higher global temperatures and extreme weather.

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma recently paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division of?ce in the Bangladesh Secretariat, discussing bilateral affairs with focus on energy cooperation. Speaking to reporters after the meeting was over, Prime Minister’s foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir said the present government is keen to forge a new chapter in relations with India, departing from the framework established during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. ‘The meeting emphasized energy security, with special focus on diesel import through pipelines from India,’ Kabir said. ‘Maintaining positive relations between the two countries makes it possible to resolve many issues. We are optimistic about moving forward with the process of importing energy via pipeline.’

An ocean-going Aframax oil tanker, the largest newly-built vessel registered under the Bangladeshi ?ag and ?nanced by BRAC Bank, is set to embark on its maiden voyage. Named MT Omera Liberty, the tanker is owned by MJL Bangladesh PLC, a concern of East Coast Group. Measuring 250 meters in length, the vessel has a carrying capacity of up to 115,000 tonnes of fuel oil, says a press release.

the commissioning ceremony took place at Daehan Shipbuilding in South Korea on March 25. The event was attended by Azam J. Chowdhury, Chairman of East Coast Group; David Kim, Chairman of Daehan Shipbuilding; Tou?qul Islam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to South Korea; and Captain Minhazur Reza Chowdhury, Chief Executive Of?cer of MJL Shipping. Representing BRAC Bank, Abu Sadat Chowdhury, Area Head -1, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking, was also present. BRAC Bank extended landmark ?nancing to MJL Bangladesh for the acquisition of two ocean-going Aframax tankers-MT Omera Liberty and MT Omera Galaxy.

The government has deployed a total of 293 mobile courts across 62 districts to monitor the fuel supply situation nationwide. During these drives, 78 cases were ?led, and ?nes amounting to Tk 315,550 were imposed.

according to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, the drive will continue to ensure a stable fuel supply and to prevent irregularities in distribution and sales.

in addition, executive magistrates from the Energy Division are conducting mobile court operations daily at various locations across Dhaka city

Suriname is part of the Guyana-Suriname basin, which continues to see oil and gas exploration success and development activity. Petronas Suriname Exploration and Production BV will collaborate with Valaris Ltd. subsidiary Ensco UK Drilling Ltd.

and Halliburton to support the development of its assets offshore Suriname.

the agreement-which combines Petronas’ deep basin expertise, Valaris’ offshore drilling capability, and Halliburton’s technology-establishes a collaborative framework across the project lifecycle, including earlystage planning, technical integration, and continuous improvement initiatives, aimed at enhancing operational ef?ciency. Suriname is part of the Guyana-Suriname basin, which continues to see oil and gas exploration success and development activity

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) convened a meeting of its Energy and Power Subcommittee recently to discuss Bangladesh’s evolving energy landscape and explore future opportunities for sustainable sector growth.

a focused group discussion was held at the Sheraton Hotel Dhaka in Banani, bringing together leading industry stakeholders, policymakers and experts to exchange insights and identify practical solutions for the country’s energy challenges. Speaking at the event, AmCham President Syed Ershad Ahmed emphasized the importance of coordinated short-, medium- and long-term strategies for the sector. He said AmCham plans to compile stakeholder feedback and submit recommendations to relevant government ministries, stressing the value of a consultative approach in shaping energy policies.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has relaxed the single borrower exposure limit for LPG imports to mitigate domestic shortages caused by the Iran war, ensuring an uninterrupted energy supply across the country.

to this end, a circular was issued recently and sent to all banks.

according to the circular, if the single borrower exposure limit exceeds 25%, banks will be allowed to extend additional loans subject to approval from the Bangladesh Bank. However, the central bank will determine the speci?c lending limit for any particular institution.

the relaxation is applicable only to LPG importers to prevent any disruption in imports. The Bangladesh Bank will permit banks to exceed the 25% limit in such cases.

Oil prices dived, bonds rallied and stocks surged recently after a two-week cease?re in the Middle East spurred a relief rally as investors cheered the possible resumption of oil and gas ?owing through the Strait of Hormuz.

uS President Donald Trump said he agreed to suspend bombing and attacks on Iran for two weeks and that a long-term peace agreement was in progress. Global markets have been rattled since the US and Israel attacked Iran at the end of February, leading Tehran to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway used to transit one-?fth of the world’s oil and gas.

uS crude futures CLc1 fell around 16.5% to $94 a barrel, SandP 500 futures ESc1 leapt over 2% and the dollar fell broadly, having been the haven of choice for investors during the tumult.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon recently said that environmental challenges have evolved into an existential crisis for human civilization rather than being merely issues addressed within annual budgets or ?ve-year development plans. He called on the younger generation to go beyond textbook learning and understand the deep connections between global politics, the energy crisis, and environmental degradation.

the minister made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the Green Energy Olympiad 2026, organized by Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) at the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Paci?c (CIRDAP) auditorium in the capital.

The government plans to import 11 lique?ed natural gas (LNG) cargoes in May despite surging global prices as it seeks to ensure an adequate gas supply for power generation during the peak summer season.

earlier, Bangladesh had considered scaling back May imports to nine cargoes from its original plan of 11 – the same as April levels – amid supply disruptions triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. However, the authorities have reversed the plan amid concerns that reduced imports would force cuts in gas supply to power plants and lead to load-shedding in the impending hot and humid month of May, when electricity demand could reach around 17,000MW. Petrobangla of?cials said maintaining higher LNG imports was essential to sustain electricity generation from gas-?red power plants.