HCMC sends fuel trucks to ramp up gasoline supply

The trucks belonging to Petrolimex HCMC began plying late Sunday evening to deliver fuel to the company’s gas stations, deputy director of the city Department of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngoc, said Sunday.

The department would also urge other suppliers to increase deliveries to retailers, she added.

At least 54 gas stations in the city had run out of either gasoline or diesel as of Sunday, and the public is unhappy about having to go around to find one with stocks.

The shortage of fuel has become a recurring headache for authorities in recent weeks with retailers saying the falling government-fixed retail prices force them to sell at a loss.

Retailers in the city say they are losing VND100-300 million ($4,166-12,500) in the case of small gas stations and VND500 million at big ones due to low commissions, and might have to close for good if things do not improve this week.

Some suppliers said importing has become difficult, while others said the recent Storm Noru has affected transportation.

Gasoline imports declined by 40% in the third quarter from the previous one, while diesel imports fell by 35%.

Last week, 36 retailers in HCMC complained about the "problematic" management by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Finance of fuel retail prices, saying they are so low they lose money on every liter.

 

 

HCMC sends fuel trucks to ramp up gasoline supply

Saigonese flock to gas stations