In Bali, Residents Face Disruptions in Pertamax Sales at Several Gas Stations
The situation has affected Denpasar, Badung, and especially the southern part of the island—at some Pertamax gas stations, the fuel is temporarily completely unavailable, and only subsidized Pertalite remains in stock. As a result, long queues have formed at operating stations, with some gas stations temporarily closed.
Why did the shortage occur?
The state-owned company Pertamina, the main fuel supplier in Indonesia, officially explained the situation as a delay in maritime deliveries. According to the company, due to unfavorable weather conditions in the Bali and Lombok area, fuel ships were unable to arrive on time at the Sanggaran fuel terminal in Denpasar. This terminal usually supplies fuel to Jimbaran, Badung, and central areas of the island.
Pertamina's communications manager for the East Java—Bali—Nusa Tenggara region, Ahad Regadi, detailed that the main problem is the inability to safely dock tankers for unloading. This disrupted the usual supply schedule and led to reduced reserves at some gas stations.
Temporary Supply Scheme via an Alternative Terminal
To mitigate the consequences of the shortage, Pertamina engaged alternative logistics: part of the supply was redirected through the Manggis terminal in Karangasem. Although it is typically used as an additional route, it has become the main backup route in the current situation.
According to Pertamina's information:
a tanker with 2,000 kiloliters of Pertamax is expected at the Sanggaran terminal;
a vessel with 9,000 kiloliters of Pertamax is directed toward the Manggis terminal.
Until their arrival, the company distributes a temporary daily volume of 200 kiloliters, equally shared between the Sanggaran and Manggis terminals.
Pertamina emphasizes that all fuel terminals operate 24/7, and the infrastructure's capacity allows for an immediate return to normal volumes after the unloading of delayed ships. Fuel distribution is now coordinated between terminals to prioritize areas with the heaviest traffic.
Appeal to Bali Residents
The company urges island residents to purchase fuel judiciously, avoiding unnecessary "stocking up" to prevent additional pressure on the supply system during the recovery period. Pertamina also reminds that any suspicious actions by gas stations or fuel sales violations can be reported to the company's contact center.
According to Pertamina's forecasts, once the delayed tankers arrive at both terminals and the fuel is unloaded, supplies will stabilize. After the distribution schedule evens out, Pertamax gasoline should reappear at all gas stations in Bali.
