Bangladesh & Persian Gulf Conflict: A Distant Stakeholder
Classes at Bangladeshi universities were suspended on March 9, 2026, as the government moved to conserve electricity amid disruptions to natural gas supplies stemming from the conflict in the Persian Gulf.
The decision, impacting students like Abdullah Al Mahmud Mehedi, a master’s student at the University of Dhaka, is a direct consequence of the war’s impact on energy markets. Roughly half of Bangladesh’s electricity generation relies on gas-fired power plants, and nearly a third of that gas is sourced from Qatar. Escalating warfare in the Gulf has significantly curtailed the flow of Qatari gas, prompting the government to implement emergency measures.
Beyond university closures, the government has begun enacting temporary blackouts to reduce power consumption. Officials fear a complete depletion of gas reserves will cripple both the power grid and the nation’s crucial export-oriented economy, particularly the garment industry. The Dhaka Export Processing Zone, a key industrial hub, is currently prioritized for electricity access, but broader disruptions are anticipated if the energy crisis worsens.
The situation is further complicated by ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Bangladeshi sailors aboard the vessel Banglar Joyjatra, operated by Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, have been stranded in the Gulf for ten days as maritime traffic has been effectively halted due to the conflict. The ship was unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz after unloading cargo at Jebel Ali Port. The crew performed Eid-ul-Fitr prayers on March 20th while under heightened missile and drone alerts, maintaining communication with families to mitigate stress.
Captain Md Shafiqul Islam Khan, master of the Banglar Joyjatra, reported that despite the tense environment, the crew attempted to maintain a festive spirit. No explosions were reported in the immediate vicinity of the vessel, though alerts remained in effect. The ship departed Qatar on February 27th with a consignment of steel coils and its return to Bangladesh remains uncertain.
The current conflict builds on a history of regional instability. The 1990-1991 Gulf War, also known by several names including the Kuwait War and Operation Desert Storm, serves as a historical precedent for the current disruptions, though the specific geopolitical dynamics differ.
The potential for prolonged disruption to shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf is prompting concern about war-risk insurance. Withdrawals of coverage could halt global shipping overnight, and Bangladesh, heavily reliant on maritime trade, is particularly vulnerable. Experts suggest the nation must consider building sovereign maritime reinsurance capacity to protect vital trade routes during future crises.