Diesel Price Surge Hits Transport Industry Hard, Raising Costs for Carriers and Manufacturers

While carriers as well as industrialists who consume large quantities of diesel were paying with a difference of 0.60 DH to 1 DH, regardless of the fuel price, today they have to pay much more than at the service station, reports l’Économiste.

At the station, the price is 11.90 DH TTC per liter, while with the oil companies, the prices vary between 13.20 DH TTC per liter and 13.80 DH TTC per liter. All the steps taken by the operators to understand what justifies this sudden rise in prices have failed. They fear that the constituted stocks will be exhausted and that they will be forced to face the bidding war.

"I currently have barely 70 tons. Which will only allow me to operate for three days. I wanted to place an order, but unfortunately the gap is around 1.60 DH per liter," explains a professional who estimates that the contracts negotiated up to now have been made on the basis of a price largely lower than that imposed since March 16 by the oil companies.

Backed into a corner, the truckers have decided to refuse long journeys to reduce their fuel consumption and limit their losses. As for the operators, they are asking the government to look into the matter in order to avoid an uncomfortable and perilous situation for their business.