Fuel Supply to Jember Returns to Normal
The Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) has ensured that the delivery of fuel (BBM) to all petrol stations (SPBU) in Jember Regency, East Java, has returned to normal. Queues of vehicles at several petrol stations have been recorded as easing compared to previous days.
The Head of BPH Migas, Wahyudi Anas, confirmed the recovery of the fuel supply during an inspection of a petrol station in Jember Regency on Friday night (11/9).
“A total of 15 trucks from Surabaya have been deployed specifically to supply petrol stations in Jember,” said Wahyudi Anas during his visit to the station in Jember, East Java, on Friday night.
According to him, the fuel scarcity that occurred in Jember a few days ago was due to distribution constraints from the Tanjung Wangi Integrated Terminal (IT) in Banyuwangi, caused by heavy vehicle traffic around the terminal.
Wahyudi stated that logistics vehicles attempting to cross from the ASDP Ketapang branch to Gilimanuk were stuck in congestion, which subsequently impacted the access routes for fuel tankers.
Wahyudi explained that due to the congestion around Ketapang Port, fuel distribution could not be carried out under normal conditions, with fuel transport vehicles taking significantly longer than usual.
“Normally, fuel distribution to the Jember region takes only 6 to 8 hours. However, due to the congestion, it is taking 12 hours or more for a single trip,” he said.
To alleviate the supply bottleneck caused by the congestion at Ketapang Port, PT Pertamina Patrab Niaga took swift action by diverting the fuel supply point for the Jember region from the Tanjung Wangi Integrated Terminal to the Surabaya Integrated Terminal.
Wahyudi urged the residents of Jember Regency to purchase fuel wisely according to their needs and not to engage in panic buying. The public is also advised not to force themselves to queue during periods of high density at petrol stations.
“We ensure that we will continue to monitor the situation to smooth the fuel distribution in Jember Regency,” he said.