Moldova (Ukraine Response) - 3.1 Fuel

Fuel Overview

The Republic of Moldova is almost fully dependent on imports (more than 99%) of oil products, with a slight production (2010-2020 average was 0.16 kb/d) of crude oil. There is virtually no domestic refining capacity, with the exception of a micro refinery for local oil production. In 2023, Diesel represented 73.31% of fuel imports, followed by gasoline with 20.29%, and Liquified Gas with 6.40%[1]. In terms of origins, most of the fuel is imported from Romania, which accounts for 96.8% of the gasoline imports, 68% of Diesel, and 54.2% of the Liquified Gas[2]. Traditionally, the main supplier of petroleum products for the Republic of Moldova is Romania, holding 96.8% of gasoline imports, 68.0% of diesel imports and 54.2% of gas imports liquefied. Petroleum products coming from Romania typically arrive through the Leuseni, Giurgiulesti (road and port), or Sculeni border crossings.

The main public institutions with relevance to the oil sector are:

• Ministry of Energy - is the central body responsible for the energy policy of the state. It has the role of ensuring the implementation of the country's energy policy through the analysis of the current situation and the problems in its fields of activity. Other mandates include ensuring energy security, proposing interventions to facilitate the green transition and digitalization of the energy sector.
• The National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) – is the single authority for regulating the energy sector equipped with country-wide regulatory competences, including the oil and gas sector. Its main responsibilities in the oil sector include licences, monitoring and controlling the licensees’ activities, price regulation

The oil products market is liberalized and competitive, with about two hundred licensees in the import and retail trade, although large regional companies (Lukoil, Petrom, Rompetrol) dominate the domestic market of oil products.

For more information on government and fuel provider 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. 

Fuel Pricing

According to amendments to the Petroleum Products Market Law, ANRE was required to apply Platts and Argus price quotations. The regulation prohibits commercialisation of petroleum products at a price that exceeds the price ceiling set and published by ANRE. Every two weeks ANRE sets the price ceiling for petroleum products according to the Platts FOB MED quotations, the tax component and the specific trade margin, regulated for each type of product. Since 15 March 2019, the new methodology returns the price setting of fuel by the operators themselves, taking into account their costs and an annual rate of return of up to 10%.

The taxation system of the Republic of Moldova includes general state taxes (VAT, excise tax, corporate and personal income taxes, custom tax and road tax) and local taxes (natural resources taxes, property tax, land tax, etc.). The energy sector is not subject to any specific taxation. The Moldovan Tax Code sets the VAT for petroleum products at 20% (8% for LPG as well as for all gas products)[3].

Fuel Prices per Litre as of: 23.05.24 (local currency and USD – MDL)
Petrol 95	25.15 MDL / 1.32 USD
Diesel	20.72 MDL / 1.09 USD
Paraffin	NA
Jet A-1	NA

Seasonal Variations 

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

Fuel Transportation

The oil and petroleum product supply network in the Republic of Moldova is managed by private companies that handle their importation, storage, and distribution within the country. There are also local distribution and retail companies that sell petroleum products at gas stations or through other distribution channels.

The majority of petroleum products are imported by road from Romania using a fleet of road tankers that transit through three border crossings: Leuseni, Sculeni, and Giurgiulesti.
It is important to note that for the latter, in addition to the land border crossing, the GIFP counts with terminals for the reception of tanker vessels to handle the import of fuel. At the moment of this assessment, this fuel is later transported into the country using tanker trucks.

Standards, Quality and Testing

State control over compliance with technical specifications for main fuels placed on the market will be carried out by the Agency for Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance (ISSPNC). The Ministry of Energy elaborates public policies and normative acts regarding the process of monitoring the quality of petroleum products. The monitoring of the quality of the petroleum products is carried out through accredited and recognised inspection bodies within a monitoring system approved by the Government[4].

 

Industry Control Measures
Do tanks have adequate protection against water mixing with the fuel?	Yes
Are there filters in the system which monitor where fuel is loaded into aircraft?	Yes
Is there adequate epoxy coating of tanks on trucks?	Yes
Is there a presence of suitable firefighting equipment?	Yes

 

Standards Authority
Is there a national or regional standards authority?	Yes
If yes, please identify the appropriate national and/or regional authority.	National: The Agency for Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance
If yes, are the standards adequate/properly enforced?	Yes

 

Testing Laboratories
Are there national testing laboratories?	Yes

 

Fuel Quality Testing Laboratory
Company	SGS
Address	7, M. Eminescu Street, Republic of Moldova, Chisinau
Telephone and Fax	+373 22 22 83 83 / +373 22 22 10 13 / +37 322 22 14 09
Contact	NA
Standards Used	All SGS trade inspection nominations on oil, gas and chemical cargoes are conducted in accordance with accepted core industry standards such as API, MPMS, ASTM, UOP, GOST, EN or IP test methods and specifications as set out by ISO, CEN or any of the national and regional standards-setting bodies.

 

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] Raport PP 2023 Site.pdf

[2] Moldova (iea.blob.core.windows.net)

[3] Fuel Prices Raport PP 2023 Site.pdf

 

[4] Moldova (iea.blob.core.windows.net)