This shortage is due to circumstances beyond their control.
Mpho Mokgosi, BOL's Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications, explained that within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, ULP93 is produced exclusively in South Africa at the NATREF refinery. BOL also sources petroleum products from Namibia and Mozambique, which only use ULP95, making it challenging for these suppliers to provide ULP93. Additionally, their storage facilities do not have provisions for ULP93.
"The NATREF refinery, our primary source of ULP93, has been on shutdown since May 2024 for planned annual maintenance.
t was scheduled to resume full production by the end of June 2024," Mokgosi stated. "However, the shutdown has extended beyond the planned period, delaying the return to full production and affecting product availability and supply. This has led our supplier to suspend the supply of ULP93 until further notice."
In response to the shortage, BOL has made ULP95 petrol grade available in full and in excess to cover the shortfall of ULP93. Mokgosi assured the public that ULP95 is safe for use in all petrol vehicles, including those typically using ULP93.
"We encourage all motorists needing unleaded petrol to purchase ULP95, which is currently available and in full supply," she said. "We are working with the refinery on a permanent solution and will continue to engage with them, providing updates on any new developments."
BOL remains committed to ensuring the availability of petrol and is actively addressing the current supply challenges.
