Maputo, 29 Mar (AIM) – Mozambican authorities assured the public that, despite the US/Israeli aggression against Iran, and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Mozambique is not in imminent danger of running out of liquid fuels.
This assurance followed panic buying on Friday and Saturday morning at gas stations in Maputo and the neighboring city of Matola. Long lines of vehicles lined up at pumps and some gas stations ran out of stock.
The National Directorate of Hydrocarbons and Fuels has attempted to calm the situation, ensuring that there is no genuine fuel shortage.
Friday’s panic arose from a report that the country’s operational fuel reserves will only last 12 days. This may well have been true on the day it was reported, March 24th, but Management said that gas stations are being refueled normally.
The fuel supply contract is valid until May 2027, and Management was sure that this would guarantee continuity of supply.
Although it is true that most of the fuel imported by Mozambique passes through the Strait of Hormuz, the closure of the Strait does not affect oil tankers that are already on the high seas, on their way to Mozambican ports.
The management informed that new fuel deliveries should arrive at the port of Maputo on March 30. These deliveries will provide another 26 days of gasoline supply and 17 days of diesel. More tankers are expected to arrive in April.
The National Directorate appealed to the public to remain calm and not accumulate fuel.
The Mozambican Association of Fuel Companies (Amepetrol) agreed and stated that there was no imminent risk of the country running out of fuel. The country issued a statement on Friday saying the situation is under control and urging drivers to avoid behavior that could put the supply chain under pressure.
Amepetrol said fuel is available at ocean terminals at major ports. Typically, these terminals close at the weekend, but exceptionally they were authorized to open on Saturdays to speed up the shipment of fuel to the retail market and reduce pressure on fueling stations.
(AIM)
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