South Africa: Petrol and diesel imports to surge

Durban – South Africa will import about 1.2 billion litres of diesel, petrol and other refined petroleum products this year to meet demand from motorists and industry that local refineries cannot satisfy.

The rising demand for fuel has raised concern about the capacity of ports to handle significantly larger volumes of refined product and the ability to move fuel inland.


Colin McClelland, the director of the SA Petroleum Industry Association, said on Friday: “Refineries in South Africa, when all operating at full capacity, can meet local demand for refined petroleum products. But all growth in the market going forward will have to be met through imports.”

South Africa used 24.4 billion litres of refined product last year, with diesel growing fastest, by 7.3 percent to 8.7 billion litres.

Business Report