From a total of 493 gas stations in Hanoi, only three are still struggling with partial petrol shortage, but the issue will be fully resolved today [November 8].

All gas stations in Hanoi have operated as usual. File photo

Acting Director of the Hanoi’s Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan told the local media, adding as of yesterday, the city was provided with over 1,000 cubic meters of petrol and oil, in turn relieving some of the supply deficit.

Authorities said the recent partial gasoline shortage in Hanoi was due to the influx of customers from neighboring cities/provinces to the capital to buy the product.

Average petrol consumption demand in Hanoi increased from 146,000 cubic meters per month to 170,000 in the past two months, or an increase of 20%.

According to Lan, the city has also instructed 26 major petrol distributors to update their respective supply situation every five days.

“In case of shortage, the city could secure additional supply from the Nghi Son Oil Refinery Plant to help the filling station network better meet demand from the people and companies,” said Lan.

Lan added that the Department of Transportation granted 100% of the requests from gasoline transportation companies to enter the city outside truck restriction hours to address any shortages at the city's gas stations promptly.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) stated in a recent report that the temporary closure of gas stations in some provinces/cities, or that some have been forced to sell gasoline in limited quantities is due to the volatility of gasoline prices in the world market and the interruption of gasoline supply.

“The situation has caused negative impacts on the sentiment and daily life of people, as well as on business and production activities,” noted the ministry.

To ensure sufficient supplies of petrol products for domestic consumption, the MoIT requested the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Public Security, and authorities in provinces/cities to create favorable conditions for the operation of petrol trucks, especially during rush hours.

The MoIT urged Nghi Son Oil Refinery and Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Company, operators of the only two oil refinery plants in Vietnam, to expand production capacity and speed up the delivery to major distributors.

During a recent discussion session at the National Assembly, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stressed domestic production could meet 80% of local demand. However, half of the crude oil for production in Vietnam is still sourced from abroad.

“The supply for domestic use, therefore, continues to be impacted by changes in the global situation,” he said.