BGMEA, BKMEA seek permission to procure gas from CNG stations

In separate letters sent on July 28, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) requested permission for factories to procure gas from CNG filling stations until the country's gas supply situation improves.

The appeal comes after the floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal operated by Excelerate Energy at Maheshkhali was shut down following a fire, triggering one of the country's worst gas supply disruptions in recent years.

The request also follows a directive issued by Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited, instructing CNG filling stations to stop selling natural gas in loose cylinders or gas cascade cylinders not connected to authorised vehicles.

In a letter issued on July 27, Titas said supplying gas to unauthorised open cylinders or gas cascade cylinders is illegal, poses significant safety risks, and violates the Gas Act, 2010, and the Gas Distribution Rules, 2026.

BGMEA Warns of Export Disruptions

In a letter addressed to the president of the Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the readymade garment (RMG) sector remains the country's largest export-earning industry, generating employment for millions, particularly women, while making a vital contribution to foreign exchange earnings.

He said the shutdown of one of the two floating LNG terminals at Maheshkhali had created an acute gas shortage, causing gas pressure in many factories to fall sharply and disrupting production.

According to the letter, gas pressure at several industrial units has dropped to zero PSI, making it impossible to maintain production or meet shipment deadlines set by international buyers.

BGMEA requested that export-oriented factories be allowed to collect gas in cylinders from CNG filling stations on a temporary basis so they can continue operations and fulfil export commitments.

However, the association noted that many filling stations have become reluctant to supply gas in cylinders following the Titas directive.

BGMEA urged the CNG station owners' association to take the necessary steps to ensure temporary gas supply to export-oriented factories in the greater national interest.

BKMEA Says Energy Ministry Responded Positively

In a separate notice to its member factories, BKMEA said its president discussed the Titas directive with the Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

According to BKMEA, the association informed the ministry that any disruption to gas supply for export-oriented industries would have serious consequences for industrial production and export performance.

The association said the energy secretary immediately instructed the Managing Director of Titas to allow export-oriented factories to continue collecting gas from CNG filling stations as before.

BKMEA advised its member factories to strictly comply with all government regulations and safety protocols while transporting and using gas collected from CNG stations.

The association also said factories may operate their LNG-based backup gas systems at full capacity to minimise production disruptions.

BKMEA further said the current gas crisis is expected to continue until August 8, 2026, after which the situation is expected to improve. It added that the organisation remains in regular contact with the relevant authorities and will keep members informed of any further developments.

LNG Terminal Fire Deepens Gas Crisis

The requests come as Bangladesh faces one of its most severe gas shortages after a fire damaged critical electrical components at Excelerate Energy's floating LNG terminal in Maheshkhali.

The incident has reduced gas supply to the national grid by an estimated 450-500 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd), affecting residential consumers, industrial units, CNG filling stations and gas-fired power plants.