Countries such as France, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Nepal are on the brink of a fuel crisis caused by sanctions and disruptions in the supply of oil and gas. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the refined shipments leaving the Persian Gulf are still less than half the rate of February, exacerbating the severe fuel shortages in these countries.
State of Crisis in Different Countries
In France, between 10 to 12 percent of gas stations were out of at least one type of fuel from September 13 to 15, and the price of gasoline reached a record high of 2.17 euros per liter. President Emmanuel Macron has called for a G7 meeting for coordinated action. While France has about 118 days of net import coverage in its strategic oil reserves, the current shortage is due to logistical issues with refined products, not crude oil.
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Pakistan had lifted emergency fuel restrictions by June 20, but now due to fuel shortages, shops and shopping centers must close earlier than before. As of September 17, government vehicles have lost 50% of their fuel allocation, leading to a significant reduction in services and revenues.
Impact on Daily Life and Industry
In Bangladesh, forty million residents of Dhaka are affected by the fuel crisis, severely disrupting their daily lives. Residents now adjust their activity times based on when their stoves are lit and how long their fans can run. Energy rationing is being implemented as the government's response to this crisis, leading to early closures of shops and public services.
Indonesia and Nepal are also experiencing similar issues. Nepal is facing severe gas shortages due to landslides and blocked roads, with some households not having refilled their gas cylinders for over a month. In Indonesia, the energy minister has announced that the gasoline shortage in Makassar has been resolved, but given the high crude oil prices, this will not benefit the people.
The heating season in the Northern Hemisphere will begin in the coming weeks, and these countries must seek to secure the necessary shipments for winter. In this context, there is a likelihood of rising prices and competition for energy resources on a global scale.
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