ANRE: gasoline and diesel stocks managed under increased control

The National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) has announced that as of today, gasoline and diesel stocks are being managed under increased control by the authorities, after the Government Decision on declaring a state of alert entered into force. This mechanism will allow for a safer management of the stocks of main petroleum products held in the Giurgiulești International Free Port (PILG).

Thus, the Customs Service will allow the export/re-export of standard main petroleum products from the Giurgiulești International Free Port (PILG) only if the quantities stored exceed the threshold of 8,000 tons for gasoline and 25,000 tons for diesel – a measure intended to ensure that the domestic market of the Republic of Moldova has the necessary quantities of petroleum products and to prevent their redirection to other regional markets.

In this regard, the general operator of PILG will submit daily to the Customs Service information on the stocks of standard petroleum products stored in the port.

At the same time, standard main petroleum products placed under the customs regimes of release for free circulation (import), temporary storage, and customs warehousing may not subsequently be placed under the export/re-export regime – a measure that rules out the possibility that petroleum products from other depots in the country be resold on other regional markets.

In addition, the Customs Service will carry out customs clearance on a priority basis for petroleum products placed under the regime of release for free circulation (import), by introducing dedicated customs clearance corridors designed to streamline trade flows and reduce processing times – a measure that will help shorten the logistical supply chain.

Furthermore, ANRE continues to monitor daily the stocks held by importing companies.

“ANRE reiterates that, at this time, the existing stocks of petroleum products on the territory of the Republic of Moldova are sufficient and do not pose systemic risk factors for consumers,” the institution stated.

At the same time, regarding information that has appeared in the public space about the way petroleum products are delivered to consumers at filling stations, the Agency draws attention to the fact that, in retail sales of petroleum products, license holders are obliged to comply with the provisions of the Regulation on the retail sale of petroleum products.

According to ANRE, Platts quotations, which reflect prices for petroleum-derived products, registered over the last day a decrease of approximately 1% for gasoline and 3% for diesel, a development that may represent an initial signal of market stabilization.

Thus, for Friday, 6 March, ANRE set a maximum price for gasoline of 24.33 lei, up by 0.16 lei. Diesel becomes more expensive by 0.47 lei, reaching 22.24 lei.

In the Republic of Moldova, a state of alert has been declared at national level in the energy sector for a period of 60 days, starting on 4 March. The decision was approved by the Government. Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu specified that this is a preventive measure aimed at protecting the country’s energy security.