BPC to bear extra cost as tankers charge high

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is poised to count an additional transportation cost of Tk 70 lakh annually as the owners of tankers, engaged in carrying petroleum oil across the country, show reluctance to cut fare.
To carry petroleum in the diesel-run coastal and shallow tankers they are still realising an increased fare fixed before the price of diesel decreased in three phases on October 27 and December 22 last year and on January 15 this year.
Against this backdrop, BPC officials would hold a meeting with Bangladesh Tanker Owners Association (Batowa) leaders tomorrow to negotiate re-fixation of tanker fare at a reduced rate, sources said.
Coastal tankers each with a carrying capacity ranging from 1,000 tonnes to 1,200 tonnes carry petroleum oil from BPC main depot in Chittagong to different depots including those at Godanile-Fatulla, Daulatpur, Barisal, Jhalakathi and Chandpur.
Shallow tankers with 500-600 tonnes of capacity carry petroleum oil from these depots (Godanile-Fatulla) to other depots in different areas of the country like Baghabari, Chilmari and Balashi.
Fare of the tankers is fixed through negotiation between Batowa and BPC. Apart from increasing fare as overhead cost due to rise in maintenance cost and workers' wage after every two years, the tanker owners increased fare following the price hike of diesel on different occasions.
But, although the price of diesel decreased in three phases in the last four months, the coastal tankers are charging Tk 2.92 per kilometre on each tonne of petroleum oil and shallow tankers Tk 3.95 per km as per the latest increased fare fixed in July last year.
The Batowa leaders are now rather insisting on a further increase in the tanker fare, alleged some BPC officials seeking anonymity.
With 28 lakh tonnes being carried in coastal tankers and 4 lakh tonnes in shallow tankers annually, BPC would be forced to count an additional transportation cost of Tk 70 lakh unless the fare is reduced following the decrease in the diesel price, the officials said.