The Ministry of Energy said that the requests for the distribution of gasoline were launched today from the centers of Banias and Homs to various governorates, as part of the daily distribution plan, with a total of 305 requests for a volume of 24 thousand liters each, bringing the total quantities sent to 7 million and 320 thousand liters, with the aim of strengthening the stocks of the stations and meeting the increasing demand for the material.
In a statement published on its official IDs, the Ministry explained that the companies and institutions concerned with the hydrocarbon sector continue the supply and distribution operations without interruption, while the Ministry follows up the movement of tankers in the field and around the clock to ensure the rapid arrival of quantities and the continuation of the flow in all governorates.
In a related context, the Ministry pointed out that the congestion witnessed by some stations during the past days is due to a "significant and exceptional rise in demand", which led to a temporary depletion of quantities in a number of locations, despite the continuation of supply on a regular basis, stressing that it is currently working to enhance the quantities sent and accelerate the arrival of tankers to the stations according to the approved daily plan.
The Ministry of Energy called on citizens to go to the stations only when there is actual need and not to rush out of anxiety, stressing that the supply is continuous and that cooperation in controlling demand contributes to alleviating pressure and accelerating the delivery of the material to all governorates in a more smooth manner.
Fuel crisis enters sixth day
The fuel crisis continues in various Syrian governorates for the sixth day in a row, with the resumption of closure of most petrol stations yesterday after only one day of the reopening of a number of them, which led to a great congestion in front of the few stations that remained operating, especially the Kafr Sousse station, which has not stopped service since the beginning of the crisis.
Gas station owners confirm that the crisis erupted after the announcement of the new prices, which included a reduction and fixation in the Syrian pound, which prompted citizens to buy gasoline with unprecedented intensity, while pointing out that the quantities currently supplied are not enough to meet demand, and that the pressure on the supply operations from the Homs refinery was directly reflected on the stations' ability to continue operating.
On the other hand, a source in the Ministry of Energy denied that there is any shortage of oil derivatives, stressing that the distribution operations are continuing gradually and regularly, and that what is happening is the result of "the great demand after the price adjustment", and not due to the decline in the available quantities, pointing out that some stations have delayed ordering new quantities due to rumors of a further reduction in prices, which led to a decrease in their stocks and a sudden increase in demand.
Temporary Regulatory Measures
As congestion worsened, several stations resorted to limiting the amount of filling per vehicle between 20 and 40 liters, in a move described as temporary to relieve pressure and enable the largest number of consumers to obtain fuel, without an official decision in this regard.
Local circles circulated narratives linking the crisis to the objection of some station owners to the obligation to pay in Syrian pounds while they buy fuel in dollars, which may expose them to losses as a result of exchange rate fluctuations, but the ministry denied that there is any connection between this issue and the current crisis, stressing that the delay in ordering quantities was the main reason for the decline in inventories.
Damascus and Aleppo the hardest hit
Damascus and Aleppo are the most affected by the crisis due to population density and large transport traffic, while gas stations in rural Damascus are operating normally without congestion, due to low demand compared to the capital.
In an effort to reduce individual storage and monopoly, the Ministry of Energy has issued a decision prohibiting the filling of fuel in the gallons, with the aim of ensuring a fairer distribution of the material and easing congestion in light of the high demand since the announcement of the new prices.
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