Ethiopia Seeks Berbera Port as an Alternative Fuel Route

The government of Ethiopia is considering a proposal to import fuel through Berbera port in Somaliland. This decision comes after the Horizon Oil Storage Depot in Djibouti reduced its service capacity.

Ato Lemesa Tulu, the director of oil products marketing research at the Oil and Energy Authority, reported that this reduction disrupts fuel supplies to Ethiopia. He stated that the government is willing to buy fuel. However, the Horizon depot has not been repaired since it opened 18 years ago.

Ethiopia needs ten million litres of diesel daily. Currently, only eight million litres are shipped from Djibouti. Lemesa emphasized the need for alternative ports to solve this issue. Research has identified Berbera Port as a viable option for Ethiopia, and the government is awaiting a decision on this recommendation.

Lemesa warned that if the situation at Djibouti does not improve, fuel supply disruptions could continue next year. He also pointed out that the Addis Ababa city administration has not quickly replaced gas stations that were demolished during urban development projects. This delay worsens the fuel supply situation.

Many gas stations have been removed without plans for replacements. As a result, central Addis Ababa has fewer available stations. So far, 17 stations will be affected by ongoing developments.

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