Dhaka, April 1 -- A severe fuel shortage, triggered by the continuing conflict in the Middle East, has disrupted lighterage vessel operations at Bangladesh's premier seaport, sparking fears of price hikes.

Lighterage operators alleged that the supply of diesel from state-owned depots has plummeted to nearly a fourth of the daily demand, delaying the offloading of mother vessels at the outer anchorage and affecting the entire supply chain of industrial raw materials and imported goods.

Lightering is the lifeline of the imported goods supply chain, as shallow drafts restrict mother vessels from reaching the main jetties of Chittagong Port.

Bangladesh imports everything from sugar and LNG to industrial raw materials primarily through this...