TotalEnergies Fiji has moved to reassure motorists that there is no national fuel shortage, after some service stations reported empty pumps amid a recent spike in demand. Managing director and CEO Bhavana Samel said the company is actively managing distribution to maintain steady supplies while global markets remain volatile.
“TotalEnergies Fiji is proactively managing its fuel distribution to ensure steady supply for the country while global fuel markets remain volatile,” Samel said, adding that the company had seen a sudden increase in demand that produced temporary reports of pumps running dry at some outlets. She said distribution is being closely monitored to prevent these local disruptions from becoming widespread shortages.
Samel urged motorists to refrain from buying and storing large quantities of petrol in containers, warning that stockpiling creates safety risks and limits access for other drivers. “We are encouraging motorists to use fuel responsibly during this period of international uncertainty, helping ensure fuel remains available for essential services and the wider community at all times,” she said, calling for fair access across the network of service stations.
The company’s statement comes against a backdrop of international tensions that have unsettled fuel markets. Earlier reporting noted concerns about heightened Middle East tensions, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, and regulators such as the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission had warned the country was vulnerable to price spikes because Fiji is a price-taker in global oil markets. TotalEnergies’ update is the latest effort to calm public concern and explain local supply dynamics.
TotalEnergies did not provide figures on how many stations were affected or how long pumps were out of service, but indicated the shortages were temporary and driven by demand patterns rather than a break in imports or distribution capacity. Samel said careful monitoring of deliveries and allocations across depots and outlets was underway to smooth any imbalances and maintain availability for critical services.
The company’s public appeal to motorists highlights the role of consumer behaviour in preventing artificial shortages. Retail-level shortages often follow sudden surges in purchasing even where national stock levels remain adequate; by discouraging hoarding, TotalEnergies aims to avoid a self-fulfilling shortage that would amplify price and supply pressures already present in international markets.
For now, TotalEnergies’ message is that supply lines remain intact but fragile, and that cooperation from motorists — through measured purchases and safe storage practices — will help keep pumps open for all while global uncertainty continues to affect fuel markets.
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