Two fuel tankers have recently docked at Beira Port within 48 hours, delivering a combined 38 million litres of fuel to central Mozambique and yet filling stations across the region continue to face shortages that are generating anxiety among consumers and the productive sector alike.
The second vessel arrived on the morning of 29 April, carrying 20 million litres of diesel imported exclusively to meet demand in central Mozambique. The cargo was awaiting routine laboratory test results, with unloading expected to begin around midday. It followed the departure of MT DEE 4 LARCH, which unloaded 18 million litres of petrol within two days before proceeding to the ports of Nacala and Pemba as part of the national distribution plan. The disconnect between supply arriving at the terminal and fuel reaching consumers has raised pointed questions. Does the persistent difficulty in accessing foreign currency, US dollars for payment of bank guarantees continue to delay the release of products at ocean terminals? Is there evidence that fuel imported into Mozambique is being re-exported rather than reaching domestic consumers?
The Energy Regulatory Authority ARENE has separately moved to address confusion in the market, cautioning the public against unofficial information on fuel price structures circulating from external sources. ARENE clarified that it conducts a monthly procedure with fuel distributors to ensure compliance with regulatory and fiscal requirements, allowing distributors to close accounts based on officially approved prices. A government-linked source indicated that competent authorities in the fuel logistics sector were preparing to issue an official statement covering recent import and availability developments, as well as possible proposals to adjust domestic fuel prices. Until that statement arrives, the gap between tankers at the port and empty forecourts remains unexplained and unacceptable to the businesses and households bearing its cost.
