Fuel shortage persists in Northen Emirates

Petrol scarcity in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates has spread from Enoc/Eppco stations to Emarat outlets as fuel supply from Jebel Ali main tank is not reaching many stations.

An early morning drive by this reporter through various petrol stations in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman revealed many stations have run out of stock and are waiting for the next fuel refilling from tankers that have no confirmed timing to reach specific stations.

Meanwhile, these stations do not have a proper explanation as to why there is shortage of fuel.

Many Emarat petrol stations in Sharjah, Ajman and Dubai have turned away customers because its tanks have been empty since Friday afternoon. “We don’t have petrol since 6pm on Friday. We have been turning away customers regularly. We don’t know the reason, but there is a major supply problem from our main tank in Jabel Ali, which gets petrol from neighbouring Oman,” said Manager of an Emarat Petrol station in Al Qusais area.

“Since there is no petrol in many Eppco/Enoc stations, motorists are rushing to Emarat and Adnoc stations. We did not receive fuel supply from the tanker and I am not sure when the next tanker will come. Obviously, there are some major problems, we don’t know the exact reasons,” said another Emarat petrol pump staff.

Emarat supply has been partially disrupted due to supply problems from other GCC countries, especially Oman. Supply problem from Bahrain has also affected the fuel supply chain in the UAE, sources said.

It may be recalled that last fuel crisis in the UAE occurred when many Emarat petrol stations were running dry and the problem later spread to Enoc/Eppco stations.

“Make life better is the motto of Emarat, but our life is becoming worse now,” said an irritated customer.

An Emarat petrol pump in Ajman near Tasjeel by the Emirates Road is the only petrol pump between Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. “We did not have petrol yesterday because there has been increased demand from customers who used to fill at Enoc/Eppco stations. Since the demand has been high, our stock was finised by 6pm on Thursday. Many motorists were furious because there is no other petrol station on the way to Ras Al Khaimah. This is one of the busiest petrol stations and many motorists had to find alternative sources of petrol. They did not mind filling their tanks with the costly super petrol,” said the petrol station employee in Ajman.

An Eppco petrol pump near Al Qusais Police Station did not have sufficient supply, leaving motorists with only one option, costly super brand. “I have been searching for petrol in many stations. Finally I filled my tank with the costly petrol. Diesel supply is available in some of the Enoc/Eppco stations,” said Mohammed, a Sharjah-based transport vehicle driver.

While oil marketing companies are giving many reasons for petrol shortage that has become worse during the last one week, employees are in no position to explain the reason. “I have asked the concerned officials a number of questions about the reasons for the fuel supply shortage. Our customers ask embarrassing questions and we are in no position to explain. Because of petrol shortage, other businesses in the fast food outlets and convenient stores are also adversely affected. Our managers said there is a technical upgradation going on in our stations, but we are not aware of such work happening here,” said the station manager of Eppco/Enoc station in Sharjah Industrial Area.

It seems petroleum marketing companies are keen to get a petrol price increase. Petrol prices have been strictly regulated by the government and since the international price has moved up, companies are pressing for a price revision. Earlier the UAE Government said it will gradually remove fuel subsidies and a few months back it increased the petrol price for the first time.

Meanwhile, Adnoc petrol stations are doing roaring business because motorists turned away from Enoc/Eppco and now Emarat are queuing up in front of the Abu Dhabhi National Oil Company outlets. “We have been very busy until 2am and even now there is more business than our normal business. We are getting more supply on time, but sometimes there is shortage as the tanks get empty very fast,” said an Adnoc station manager in Ajman.

Taxi drivers and company drivers using Enoc/Eppco fuel cards are also in a fix as they have to pay hard cash to fill their tanks from other petrol pumps. More fuel supply is anticipated from other Gulf countries, but the main demand of the companies seem to be a price hike.

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