The majority of gas stations in Hanoi continue to operate as usual and stand ready to meet local demands, according to the Acting Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, Tran Thi Phuong Lan.

Acting Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan checks the operation of Thai Thinh gas station (Dong Da District). Photo: Le Nam

Hanoi currently has six major oil suppliers and 20 distributors for 493 filling stations.

In recent months, a shortage in petrol supplies in several provinces/cities prompted businesses and people to rush to Hanoi to purchase the commodity.

“This has put a huge pressure on the local gas network,” Lan said, noting the average petrol consumption demand in Hanoi has increased from 146,000 cubic meters per month to 170,000 in the past two months, or an increase of 20%.

"In the case of several small gas stations, a sudden increase in demand in a given period led to a shortage, and owners were forced to limit the amount sold to customers," Lan said.

The Department representative added that, of the total 493 gas stations in the city, only 20 had been allowed to be temporarily closed for repair. At the same time, 73% of those under the management of the leading suppliers continue to operate normally without any limitations.

“Amid rising demand, we have allocated additional personnel to provide services for customers and are committed to staying operational 24 hours per day,” the head of the Thai Thinh gas station (Dong Da District) Do Quoc Thai said.

To prevent the shortage of petrol supplies in the coming time, major suppliers and distributors in Hanoi called for the local authorities to allow petrol trucks to enter the city at any time and support businesses to access preferential loans from Hanoi’s Development Funds for sufficient working capital.

From now until late 2022, the demand for petrol in Hanoi is set to increase by 15-20% due to rising travel demand.

Lan said the Department of Industry and Trade is expected to closely monitor the petrol supply situation in the city and cooperate with the market surveillance authority to supervise the operation of gas stations and intervene if needed.

The Department asked the Government to readjust gas station commissions by revising the base price so that they can operate profitably amid rising gasoline prices in the world market.

In line with the proposal from petrol businesses, the Department requested the municipal People's Committee to allow gasoline trucks to enter the city flexibly.