Arakan State townships report fuel shortages

By Admin 14 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
14 November 2023, Sittwe

Fuel is in short supply in Arakan State’s Sittwe, Mrauk-U, Taungup, Thandwe and Kyaukphyu townships as the Myanmar military has blockaded roads and waterways in the state following renewed fighting this week between the junta and Arakan Army (AA), according to petrol stations.

Fuel bowsers heading from Yangon to the Arakan State capital Sittwe are trapped on the Yangon-Sittwe road as junta checkpoints are not allowing vehicles to pass.

“Many people came and bought gasoline since noon yesterday. We have almost run out of stock,” said U Thein Shwe, owner of the Sin Taw Kauk filling station in Thandwe. “We will only be able to restart sales when the bowsers arrive.”

The junta’s transit blockades triggered panic buying of fuel, prompting filling stations to shut off their pumps on Tuesday.

“Many people have been vying to get fuel since yesterday. All the licensed filling stations closed this morning. Some filling stations are only selling some diesel, and petrol can’t be bought at all,” said Kyaukphyu resident Ko Myint Thu Aung.

Arakan State may run out of fuel within days if shipments remain held up, said filling station owners.

“Fuel consumption has greatly increased compared to the past. But we are restricted by fuel import quotas [set by the regime]. Fuel could run out if the roads are inaccessible for two days,” said a fuel station owner in Sittwe.

Licensed petrol stations in Arakan State only replenish their quotas every three days, and they have to source their quotas from Thilawa Port in Yangon. Local residents accused some filling stations of halting distribution to increase prices. 

“They have stocks, but they don’t sell in order to manipulate the prices when stocks run out,” said Taungup resident Ko Myo Zin.

Many places have reported fuel shortage caused by low supply, armed conflict and resultant disruptions to communication networks. Myanmar is also reliant on foreign markets for fuel imports.