The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has assured South Africans that there is no imminent shortage of liquid fuels in the country.
It added that predictions made by the Liquid Fuel Wholesalers Association (LFWA) to the contrary were “very unfortunate”.
This follows public comments by the association about the imminent shortage of liquid fuel in the country.
“The supply chain of the petroleum sector in South Africa is resilient even as the disruptive geopolitical war in eastern Europe rages on. The department engages the industry on a weekly basis on supply issues and will seek clarity from the LFWA on its comments,” the DMRE said in a statement on October 26.
It noted that, over a number of years, the government deliberately enabled investment in fuel import terminals when the reliability of existing petroleum refineries was in question.
“These import terminals provided the backup to existing refineries and this has proven to have been a correct strategy as refineries close. The import terminals throughout the country’s ports are able to ensure security of fuel supply.
“In addition, major investments have been made by both Mozambique and Namibia, which further strengthen the region’s fuel supply position,” the DMRE emphasised.