There are reports in Port Vila that people are storing fuel out of fear that there could be a fuel shortage.

This is happening despite assurances that Vanuatu is not expecting a fuel shortage or an increase in fuel prices in the next three months.

Reports from reliable sources say that drums sold by Paradise Gas Limited are now out of stock.

VBTC News spoke with these reliable sources, who said that private companies and government entities are buying these empty drums, priced at 22,000 each, to store fuel.

There are reports that one expat bought fuel and sent it to Erromango for storage.

VBTC News also understands that requests have been made to send 100 more tanks to Santo for fuel storage.

This morning, a truck was seen at the Korman Stadium fuel station filling six drums with diesel and made two rounds to store fuel.

At the Dedok station in Port Vila town, VBTC News observed a local man filling plastic containers with diesel to send to Pentecost Island.

Reports also indicate that some diesel and petrol have already been shipped to other islands.

VBTC News spoke with the President of the Water Taxi Boats in Ifira, who said they will meet to discuss storing fuel.

“Us banana boats in Ifira, we are more than 50 carrying passengers from Ifira to town, and yes this is something we must look into. We see it all over the news around the world, so it is best we come up with a plan to fill up fuel and store it on the island so that if there is a shortage, we have fuel.”

Many people are continuing to request fuel stations to fill their containers with fuel.