Dhaka, Dec. 9 -- The delay in starting operations of the country's maiden single-point mooring (SPM) system -- designed to unload fuel quickly and cheaply -- is allegedly benefiting private operators, who are earning hefty profits at the expense of public money, industry insiders said.

Allegations are rife that allege that a vested interest group, working in collusion with private-sector beneficiaries, is playing a key role in delaying the SPM and its associated fuel pipelines and infrastructure.

A senior Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) official said that, in the absence of the SPM, privately owned Bashundhara Group has been transporting crude oil from mother vessels to onshore tanks. Previously, the state-run Bangladesh Shipping...