OilPrices – Middle East Conflict Drives Fuel Queues And Anxiety Across Asia

OilPrices – The sharp rise in global oil prices following the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has begun to ripple across Asia, triggering public frustration, long lines at petrol stations, and growing concerns about energy security in several import-dependent economies.

Countries that rely heavily on imported fossil fuels have been particularly affected. Although governments across the region are attempting to manage price increases and maintain supply stability, motorists in some areas have already started experiencing delays and shortages while trying to refuel their vehicles.

Bangladesh Faces Fuel Shortage And Public Frustration

Bangladesh, which imports nearly all of its oil and gas requirements, has witnessed the most visible disruption. Authorities have deployed military personnel at key fuel depots while police patrol stations to maintain order as demand surges.

Several petrol pumps in the capital Dhaka have reported empty storage tanks after deliveries slowed down. At Shahjahan Traders, one of the city’s oldest filling stations, workers were forced to display an apology notice informing customers that fuel stocks had been exhausted.

Station employee Ashrafuzzaman Dulal described a tense situation earlier in the week when frustrated motorcyclists damaged property after learning that fuel deliveries had not arrived. The incident reflected rising anxiety among drivers who fear further shortages.

Long Queues Form Across Dhaka

Fuel stations across Dhaka have seen unusually long queues, with some lines stretching more than a kilometre through busy city streets. Many drivers have chosen to leave their vehicles behind temporarily while waiting for their turn.

Kamrul Hasan, who had been waiting near the end of one such line, said his employer abandoned the car in the queue and used a rickshaw to reach an appointment elsewhere in the city.

Petrol station attendants say the demand has been relentless. Akhtar Hossain, who works at another filling station in Dhaka, explained that employees had been serving customers continuously without breaks.

According to Hossain, even during previous global conflicts affecting oil markets, such intense pressure on fuel stations had rarely been seen.

Government Measures To Conserve Energy

The Bangladeshi government has begun introducing emergency steps to reduce fuel consumption. Authorities have implemented rationing measures, reduced energy usage in public spaces, and temporarily cancelled decorative lighting for events and celebrations.

Tensions over the shortage have also led to isolated incidents of violence. In Jhenaidah district, an argument over refuelling reportedly escalated into a confrontation that left one person dead. Following the incident, angry crowds set fire to several buses and damaged a filling station.

Officials are urging calm while working to stabilize fuel distribution.

Oil Market Volatility Behind The Disruptions

Global oil markets have been reacting sharply to developments in the Middle East conflict. At one point earlier this week, benchmark crude prices surged beyond 100 dollars per barrel, the highest level seen since the early phase of the Ukraine war in 2022.

Prices later eased slightly after statements from the United States suggested that the conflict involving Israel and Iran could de-escalate soon.

However, the situation remains fragile. Missile and drone attacks in the Gulf region have disrupted shipping routes, and maritime activity through the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial corridor that carries about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil supply — has slowed significantly.

Fuel Demand Surges In Vietnam And Philippines

Vietnam has also seen long queues of motorbike riders at petrol stations after gasoline prices increased by more than 20 percent in recent days.

Although the country has avoided major shortages so far, the government has moved to ease import duties on petroleum products in an effort to stabilize supply.

In Hanoi, a resident named Tuan expressed frustration after waiting nearly an hour in line only to be told that the station’s payment system had stopped working.

Meanwhile, drivers in the Philippines have been queuing at stations under high temperatures as authorities warn the public not to stockpile fuel. Station workers report that demand has nearly doubled compared to normal daily levels.

Regional Precautions In Other Asian Countries

Other parts of Asia are taking precautionary steps as energy prices fluctuate. In Myanmar, where the fuel supply chain has already been fragile due to the ongoing civil conflict, authorities have introduced traffic restrictions to conserve oil reserves.

Under the temporary system, only half of private vehicles are permitted on roads each day. Business owners who rely on vehicles for their livelihood say the policy has made daily operations more challenging.

In some border towns, fuel deliveries from neighboring countries have reportedly slowed, forcing certain petrol stations to close temporarily.

Despite scattered queues, several large economies including Japan, India, China, and Indonesia have so far avoided widespread panic buying. Analysts say governments across the region are closely monitoring supply chains as geopolitical tensions continue to influence global oil markets.