Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola is optimistic that the fuel situation will stabilise soon, as over 1,000 trucks have been assigned to carry 51 million litres of petrol and diesel to Malawi starting from Saturday.
During the reception in Tanzania of the vessel MT High Freedom, which delivered the fuel consignment, Matola said the decision to use the Port of Tanga was necessitated by severe congestion at the Port of Dar es Salaam, which risked delaying deliveries. He noted that while Tanga is further from Malawi, it presented a viable alternative due to its smoother operations and the lack of congestion.
“For the Ports of Beira and Nacala, the volatile security situation in Mozambique has heavily disrupted the transportation of strategic commodities like fuel. This made Tanga the most practical option,” Matola said.
Discharging fuel from the vessel is expected to be completed by Friday, after which 40 tankers will begin loading on Saturday.
NOCMA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Micklas Reuben, highlighted that the fuel was procured as part of an emergency government-to-government agreement announced by President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
At Tanga, the fuel is being managed by Gulf Bulk Petroleum (GBP), which has a storage capacity of 210 million litres. The company has assured Malawian authorities of efficient loading processes to expedite deliveries to Malawi.
At the Port of Tanga, Malawi fuel is being handled by Gulf Bulk Petroleum or GBP which has a storage capacity of 210 million litres and has assured Malawi authorities of efficiency in loading and sending trucks to Malawi.
By Isaac Jali
