21 May 2007 - 09:40
  • News ID: 105136
30 Tankers Bring Gasoline Every Month

TEHRAN -- Thirty oil tankers dock in southern and northern ports monthly to offload gasoline consumed nationwide, said a senior official with the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company.

Farid Ameri told IRIB News on Saturday that 20 oil tankers with a capacity of 30,000 tons each berth in the southern ports per month.

Ten 4,500-ton oil tankers also offload imported gasoline in the northern ports each month, he added.

The official recalled that global gasoline prices have recently increased due to rise in crude prices.

According to him, prices of gasoline climbed to a record high of $770 per ton in the global market.

Referring to rising gasoline consumption in the country, Ameri noted that gasoline consumption grew by nine percent during 2001-2005. “Average increase in gasoline consumption has been 10 percent and above since March 2006.“

He warned that if the current rising trend continues, domestic gasoline consumption will hit 117 million liters per day.

Stressing that the government paid $11.5 million in gasoline subsidies during the year to March 2007, Ameri welcomed the Majlis approval to ration gasoline.

He contended that the heavy financial resources currently spent on fuel subsidies can be pumped into development projects once the rationing system is implemented.

“These millions of dollars can be spent on constructing tens of hospitals and educational centers as well as thousands of schools and revolutionize the development sector,“ the official underlined.

In late March, Majlis authorized the government to offer rationed gasoline at 1,000 rials (11 cents) per liter through smartcards.

Lawmakers also permitted the government to determine the price of gasoline sold in excess of the rationed quota.

Based on the mechanism, consumers will pay 1,000 rials per liter for rationed gasoline and will have to buy extra volumes at higher rates.

The government is to implement the Majlis approval to sell rationed gasoline via smartcards at 1,000 rials per liter as of May 22.

News ID 105136

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