Jakarta, ThedailyID — PT Pertamina Patra Niaga is increasing fuel supplies in Makassar, South Sulawesi, amid a sharp rise in demand.
Pertamina says it continues to monitor fuel stocks at its terminal. The company is also adding supplies to meet higher public consumption.
Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sulawesi Executive General Manager Deny Sukendar said the terminal receives regular stock replenishment.
“Our fuel stock at the terminal is usually topped up every one to three days, depending on when supplies arrive. We continue to coordinate this with the central team,” Deny said on Monday, September 14.
To strengthen supply, Pertamina has also added a fuel distribution vessel. The ship carries around 16,000 kiloliters (KL) of fuel.
“When there was a surge in demand, we coordinated immediately and added a distribution vessel. A vessel carrying around 16,000 kiloliters is scheduled to dock today. We will continue adding supplies to keep stocks available,” Deny said.
Meanwhile, Deny denied reports that Pertamina had cut fuel allocations to several gas stations.
He explained that distribution can change based on demand, available stocks, distribution routes and sales at each station.
“This is only a matter of distribution management. We are still supplying the stations. We did not cut an allocation from 16 kiloliters to 8 kiloliters,” Deny said.
Under normal conditions, Makassar needs more than 700 KL of fuel per day. However, demand has nearly doubled during the recent surge.
Pertamina distributed around 1,200 KL to Makassar on September 11. The figure reached about 1,000 KL on September 12 and rose again to 1,300 KL per day by September 14.
“Just imagine, we are now distributing almost twice the normal amount for Makassar alone,” Deny said.
Despite the additional supply, high sales at gas stations have caused fuel to run out faster. As a result, several stations have faced long queues.
Deny also said Pertamina and police still need to investigate whether consumers from outside Makassar have contributed to the surge in demand.
“There may be some at the border areas, but we will determine the situation with the police,” he said.
Pertamina is continuing to work to prevent further queues and fuel shortages. Deny said prolonged shortages could disrupt public activities and increase distribution costs.
“We, together with the community, want to prevent this from happening again,” he said.
Besides fuel, Pertamina also confirmed that subsidized LPG supplies remain sufficient in Makassar and surrounding areas.
The company has provided additional deliveries beyond its regular allocation. The extra supply currently reaches 30% to 50% above normal distribution.
“At present, the condition is safe and sufficient. We have extra supply, or extra deliveries, beyond the regular allocation. We are releasing an additional 30% to 50%,” Deny said.
