MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivian minister apologizes for delays in fuel supply

Tanker ships were redirected from Arica in Chile to Mollendo in Peru for unloading

Bolivia's Hydrocarbons and Energy Minister Alejandro Gallardo apologized Friday for the delays in unloading fuel from tanker ships amid unfavorable weather conditions, which will delay the arrival of the product to the landlocked country.

“We apologize for this situation, I know that it causes a series of inconveniences for the normal supply and for the different activities that are carried out both in mobility and productivity,” Gallardo said.

Due to adverse weather conditions, particularly strong sea currents and winds, fuel unloading at the Sica Sica Terminal in Arica, Chile, was halted after multiple failed attempts. To mitigate the issue, the government redirected fuel shipments to alternative ports, including Mollendo, Peru, and Mejillones, Chile.

A tanker carrying 43 million liters of fuel was sent to Mollendo, with additional shipments of 72 million liters of gasoline and 60 million liters of diesel awaiting unloading in Arica. The Bolivian government is increasing fuel volumes through these alternative routes and expects improved sea conditions next week to normalize supply.

Gallardo urged Bolivians to be patient and discouraged protests, assuring the public that fuel distribution would stabilize soon. He also regretted “the speculation that generates psychosis,” as drivers “with a quarter or half tank of fuel, go to stations,” which affects supply.

As a tanker ship was redirected from Arica to Mollendo in Peru, YPFB's Jhonny Chuquimia reported there were two of these vessels with 72 million liters of gasoline and three others with 60 million liters of diesel in Arica waiting to unload.

Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) Transport Manager Óscar Guzmán confirmed the unfavorable weather conditions at the Sica Sica Terminal in Arica and that rearrangements to Peru were underway. “YPFB's logistics team made the necessary arrangements, and the last ship that arrived in Arica, we were able to make arrangements so that it could be unloaded in Mollendo, Peru,” he underlined.