The Government of the Republic of Moldova has declared a state of alert in the energy sector at national level for a period of 30 days. The measure is preventive in nature and aims to ensure the continuity of petroleum product supplies, given the rapidly deteriorating situation on international markets and the logistical bottlenecks affecting the entire region.
The decision allows authorities to intervene more quickly to maintain market functioning and prevent potential disruptions in fuel supply.
The need to declare a state of alert stems from a combination of several risk factors affecting regional energy security.
On international markets, Platts diesel quotes have risen rapidly, returning to approximately $1,300 per metric ton, compared to $880–900 per metric ton in mid-June. At the same time, the price of Brent crude oil has surpassed the $100-per-barrel mark, putting additional pressure on import costs.
At the same time, the conflict in the Middle East and attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea have disrupted global supply chains, forcing carriers to use longer and more expensive alternative routes. Shipping times have increased by up to four weeks, and logistics costs have risen significantly.
The situation is further exacerbated by a regional diesel shortage caused by the suspension of crude oil deliveries from Kazakhstan via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal near Novorossiysk, re-export restrictions imposed in Bulgaria, and disruptions to the oil infrastructure in the Black Sea region.
At the same time, low water levels on the Danube are limiting barge transport capacity to about half of the usual volume and restricting access by heavy seagoing vessels to the Giurgiulesti International Free Port, which has led to the transfer of a significant portion of logistics flows to road transport.
As a result of these developments, commercial diesel stocks in the Republic of Moldova have fallen from the equivalent of 17.6 days of consumption at the end of June to 6.9 days, requiring careful management of available resources.