Myanmar holds 40-day fuel stock amid ongoing global crisis
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Phyo (NP News) - March 7
Currently, due to the ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East, global fuel exports and waterway transportation are facing disruptions, but Myanmar is systematically preparing to avoid a domestic fuel shortage.
To reduce public concerns about fuel shortages, Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun clarified that domestic fuel consumption is 1.5 million gallons of gasoline and 1.7 million gallons of diesel per day (about 3.2 million gallons in total), and that there are currently 60 million gallons of gasoline and 70 million gallons of diesel stored domestically, which means there is enough fuel for 40 days.
In addition, there are two ships waiting to offload at the port and 14 oil tanker ships that will arrive in the next few days.
The Asian market is being hit hard by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which an average of 20 million barrels of oil per day, or 20 percent of global oil consumption, is flowing, amid escalating armed conflicts in the Middle East.
Thailand suspended crude oil and fuel exports from March 1, while China ordered the country's largest refineries to halt diesel and gasoline exports on March 5.
Similarly, India's Mangalore refinery has also restricted exports, and in Seoul, South Korea, gasoline prices rose above 1,900 won (approximately 2700 kyat) per liter for the first time in more than three years, according to data on March 6.
On March 3, the Myanmar government announced that private vehicles with "odd" number plates can only be used on odd-numbered days, and those with with "even" number plates on even-numbered days.
Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun explained that the directive to conserve fuel is not due to a lack of fuel domestically, but rather part of a long-term, systematic plan based on global conditions.
"We issued this announcement only for the sake of saving fuel, considering the long-term issues that may arise. It was issued with the aim of systematically using fuel and helping Myanmar overcome the fuel crisis that the world is facing," said Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun.
Regarding the announcement by neighboring Thailand that it has stopped exporting oil, "There are rumors circulating. What I want to say is that we import oil from other Southeast Asian countries, such as from Singapore and Malaysia. Singapore and Malaysia also have oil refineries. Even if they cannot obtain oil from the Middle East, they will continue operating by importing oil from countries where it is available. Because it is their business, there is no need for them to stop operations," said Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun.
Currently, people are lining up at gas stations to buy fuel, but there is no reason for a fuel shortage, so they are being encouraged to buy it systematically.
"There is no reason for a shortage of fuel in our country. However, given the current situation in the world, there is a possibility that fuel prices may change in line with global prices," he said.
In addition, fuel stations will remain open as usual, and the Ministry of Energy has also announced phone numbers to which users can report stations that are not selling fuel. –