Panama
3.1 Panama Fuel
Home


The Secretaría Nacional de Energía (SNE, in Spanish) or National Secretariat of Energy is the national body in charge of the definition of policies for the energy sector, hence responsible of adopting the national policy on matters pertinent to hydrocarbons and electricity, as well as the policy of rational use of energy and the development of alternative sources.

Panama is a country that imports 100% of petroleum derived products and is therefore subject to price fluctuations of the international market. Fuel is principally offered by private companies that supply bunkers to vessels and/or fuel storage terminals.  The SNE regulates the price limit that these can offer in order to safeguard users. 

The SNE monitors the factors that affect the supply & demand of derivatives as well as crude oil, since these directly affect the price of the different fuels that are imported and distributed in Panama.  The body ensures that through Price regulation, adjustments be based on international variations as indicated by the import parity price formula established in Cabinet Decree No. 36 of 17 September 2003. 

In 1992, legislation was passed to liberate the crude oil market and establish Crude Oil Free Zones, creating incentives for the storage of crude oils and its derivatives. In 2003, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Panama and Chevron Texaco agreed to cancel a contract to operate a refinery, to convert it into a crude oil-free zone for the marketing and imports of fuels.  Panama, presently, has no refineries.  

Panama has terminals on the Atlantic, and Pacific coasts that offer the service of supply, storage and transfer of hydrocarbons.  Such include: Colon Oil and Services (COASSA), Decal Panama, Melones Oil Terminal, Panama Oil Terminal (POTSA), Payardi Terminal Company (Chevron), Petroamerica Terminal (PATSA), Petroport, Petroterminal Charco Azul, and Petroterminal Chiriqui Grande. 

For more information on government and fuel providers contact details, please see the following links: 4.1 Government Contact List and 4.7 Fuel Providers Contact List.

Information may also be found at: http://www.mytravelcost.com/petrol-prices/ which is updated monthly. 

Gasoline Prices per Gallon as of: March 25, 2020

(USD - $)

Unleaded Gas (92 octane)

1.7098

Unleaded Gas (91 octane)

1.5480

Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel

1.5729

Kerosene

1.5041

Jet Fuel

1.5041


Seasonal Variations

Fuel variations in Panama are the result, just as internationally, of the geopolitical conflicts associated with the world’s leading fuel producers and providers. In Panama, fuel prices are  expected to vary every 15 days.

Seasonal Variations

Are there national priorities in the availability of fuel? (I.e. are there restrictions or priorities for the provision of fuel such as to the military?)

No

Is there a rationing system?

No

Is fuel to lower income / vulnerable groups subsidized?

No

Can the local industry expand fuel supply to meet humanitarian needs?

N/A

Is it possible for a humanitarian organization to directly contract a reputable supplier / distributor to provide its fuel needs?

N/A

Transport

Nationwide transport of fuel is composed by a network of private companies (national, regional or transnational) that supply the resource to different gas stations located throughout the country. Each company could manage their own fleet, nonetheless, the use of transport companies as an outsourced service for each gas station is the most common practice.

In addition, Panama has road regulations that represent restrictions to cargo transportation due to change in lanes during specific hours, and the traffic-jam in the city at peak hours.

Truckers, regularly have the ability to meet the demand for domestic fuel transport, nonetheless, when there are price fluctuations, speculations cause a spike in vehicle demand to meet operations.


Standards, Quality and Testing

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Panama is responsible for ensuring the quality of the fuel consumed by the Panamanian market through the technical regulation DGNTI COPANIT 71-381-2008 and the Directorate of Industrial Standards and Technology.  This regulation introduces the different methods for fuel quality testing approved by Panamanian law and which must be applied by the different laboratories for validation.

There are also government entities such as the ACODECO (Consumer Protection and Competition Authority) which safeguards the quality of products on the market, in this case fuel, conducting regular studies on fuel quality at supply stations. 

Industry Control Measures

Do tanks have adequate protection against water mixing with the fuel?

N/A

Are there filters in the system which monitor where fuel is loaded into aircraft?

N/A

Is there adequate epoxy coating of tanks on trucks?

N/A

Is there a presence of suitable firefighting equipment?

N/A

Standards Authority

Is there a national or regional standards authority?

Yes

If yes, please identify the appropriate national and/or regional authority.

Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Directorate of Industrial Standards and Technology

If yes, are the standards adequate/properly enforced?

N/A

 

Testing Laboratories

Are there national testing laboratories?

Yes

  


Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.





Jump to top