ASIFUR RAHMAN

Bangladesh is among the countries most vulnerable to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, with virtually all of its crude oil imports and a large share of LNG supplies dependent on the strategic chokepoint, according to a new global report.

The study by European energy think-tank E3G finds that 100 percent of Bangladesh’s crude imports and about 71 percent of its LNG supplies rely on routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz, placing the country at the highest level of exposure alongside Pakistan.

The warning comes amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, where tensions involving the US, Israel and Iran have already disrupted shipping routes and triggered sharp increases in global energy prices.

The report identifies Bangladesh as one of the “most vulnerable” import-dependent economies, citing its heavy reliance on seaborne fossil fuels and limited capacity to absorb price shocks.

Only Pakistan is listed on top of Bangladesh: as much as 100 percent of the country’s crude and 89 percent of LNG come through the chokepoint.

“South Asia [Pakistan and Bangladesh] is highly exposed because it relies on Gulf LNG via the Strait of Hormuz with few alternatives and thin buffers,” the Plans

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