Fuel Overview

The fuel services, provision and supply in Lesotho are dominated by the three listed companies. Shell Oil Lesotho (Pty) Ltd, Puma Energy and Engen Petroleum Lesotho (Pty) Ltd. These major companies are owned by South African companies. The country has encouraged private investment in fuel industry and no serious shortage of fuel have been experienced. There are however several hundreds of small unlicenced vendors providing fuel in the remote districts and towns.

The Petroleum Fund was established in 1955 prompted by the need to have fuel security in the country. The mandate includes:

• The stabilization of petroleum product prices when necessary,
• The stabilization of prices charged by oil companies on short-term basis,
• The purchase of petroleum products in times of crisis,
• The provision of national storage facilities for petroleum products when the need arises,
• The improvement of the distribution of petroleum products throughout the country,
• The improvement of safety at storage facilities,
• The research and studies pertinent to the petroleum sector; and any other energy project on loan basis.

The Petroleum Fund finances petroleum-related projects, to address the objectives of its enabling legislation which address, among others, the purchase of petroleum products in times of need; and the improvement of the distribution of petroleum products throughout the country. The Fund is committed to embarking on petroleum investments that will, not only ensure that there is the security of supply of petroleum products in Lesotho, but that investment opportunities are created for Basotho within the petroleum sector, including overall economic stimulation and job creation in the country.

For more information on government and fuel provider contact details, please see the following links:

http://petroleum.org.ls/

https://www.shell.com/about-us/contact-us/contact-lesotho.html

https://pumaenergy.com/en/

https://engen.co.za/

4.1 Government Contact List

4.7 Fuel Providers Contact List.

Fuel Pricing

Seasonal Variations 

Fuel Transportation

The importation of petroleum products is carried out by private companies from South Africa through the Customs Union agreement. These companies are responsible for the importation of products in quantities greater than 200 litres according to the Fuel and Services Control Act of 1983 and Importation of Petroleum Products Regulations of 1989. Lesotho will continue to import these products as long as there are no discoveries of oil reserves. Transportation of these products from the Durban refineries into Lesotho is either by road or rail. There are currently three major depots in Maseru with a storage capacity of approximately six days of petroleum supply. There depots do not have storage facilities for LPGas[1]. There are no bottle neck experienced except when there are strikes or other external factors in south Africa affecting movement of trucks.

Standards, Quality and Testing

Lesotho receives all its fuel from South Africa and follows South African standards. Therefore from South African perspective Fuel standards are regulated by the Department of Energy (DOE) and its various instruments under the Amendment of Regulations regarding Petroleum Products Specifications and Standards Act all import, manufacture and blending for liquid fuels are regulated and are to meet the applicable code under the South African National Standards framework.[2]

Lesotho does not have Testing facilities but depends on South Africa.

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.

[1] http://www.lewa.org.ls/library/Policies/Energy_Policy_2003.pdf

[2] /display/public/DLCA/3.1+South+Africa+Fuel