Indonesia sends seven extra vessels to replenish Bali fuel stocks
The government aims to raise reserves to 15 days of demand, while an odd-even fuel-rationing policy has been extended to October 23.
Indonesia has dispatched seven more vessels carrying subsidised fuel to Bali as it seeks to shorten filling-station queues and increase reserves, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said in Denpasar.
Bahlil said the island had enough fuel for 11 to 12 days of consumption, against a target of 15 days. Shipping difficulties had cut its reserve coverage by three to four days, leading to vehicle queues at several filling stations, he said.
He has directed state-owned energy company Pertamina to maintain sufficient stocks for up to 15 days of demand. Bali's two principal fuel storage terminals are in Karangasem District and Denpasar City.
Pertamina's distribution subsidiary, Pertamina Patra Niaga, supplied an extra 48 million litres of subsidised Pertalite (RON 90) to Bali between October 7 and 17. It also added tanker trucks and began operating filling stations around the clock.
An odd-even vehicle number-plate system for fuel rationing was introduced under instructions from Bali Governor Wayan Koster. Initially effective from October 17 to 19, the measure has been extended to October 23.
Bahlil spoke after a fuel-distribution coordination meeting attended by Koster and Pertamina President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri.
