South Africa could face a new aviation fuel supply crisis by October this year, potentially forcing the country to once again rely on the Matola terminal in Mozambique for aircraft refueling, warned Avhapfani Tshifularo, CEO of the Fuel Industry Association of South Africa, on Friday, July 25, as reported by the news portal Engineering News.
Speaking during a fuel industry forum held in Johannesburg, Tshifularo explained that the scheduled shutdown of the Natref refinery in Sasolburg — the last operational refinery in South Africa — combined with outdated customs regulations, could severely impact fuel supplies to Oliver Tambo International Airport. This would make it necessary to source fuel from neighboring countries, as already occurred earlier this year.
Tshifularo recalled that, in response to an unexpected failure at Natref, the Matola terminal in Mozambique had to be used to supply jet fuel to Oliver Tambo Airport. That operation only took place after a three-week delay, caused by the need to obtain a temporary special permit from the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Although the solution worked, SARS later revoked that license and stated it would no longer issue such emergency authorizations.
“If these regulatory issues are not resolved by October, we will be in serious trouble,” warned Tshifularo, noting that the current legal framework, dating back to 1964, prohibits the direct import of aviation fuel to terminals, requiring that all fuel pass through refineries — infrastructure that no longer exists in critical regions like Durban.
The planned shutdown of Natref between August and September is expected to further undermine South Africa’s domestic fuel supply, which may once again position Mozambique — particularly the Matola terminal — as a vital logistical alternative to soften the blow to air traffic and regional stability.
Tshifularo said the South African Ministry of Finance has acknowledged the problem and committed to revising the legislation. However, he warned that:
“The process will be slow, and in the short term, we need provisional measures that allow for imports and exports through terminals and storage facilities.”
Without immediate action, he concluded, the risk of severe fuel supply disruptions will not only affect airports like Oliver Tambo, but could also impact the entire Southern African region, including Mozambique, which may again be called upon to intervene to prevent logistical and economic collapse.
Source: Diário Económico
