Maldives Gas to limit cylinder refills from Saturday amid supply shortages

Maldives Gas has announced temporary restrictions on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder refills from Saturday, 7 November, citing difficulties in securing gas supplies for the domestic market.

The company, a subsidiary of the state-owned State Trading Organisation (STO), said on Wednesday that rising prices in the international market and challenges in importing gas to the Maldives had affected supply.

In a statement, Maldives Gas said the restrictions were intended to maintain the continuity of gas distribution while addressing the supply difficulties.

Under the temporary arrangement, the quantity of gas supplied for each cylinder size will be reduced as follows:

The company said the changes would not result in an increase in the price of gas. Customers will continue to be charged according to the existing rate for the actual weight of gas supplied.

Maldives Gas also said work was under way to expand the country's gas storage capacity.

According to the company, the project will enable the Maldives to store sufficient gas supplies for three months at a time once completed.

It said the additional storage capacity would provide a long-term solution to recurring gas supply shortages.

The latest restrictions follow earlier supply difficulties experienced in March, after the outbreak of war in the Middle East disrupted gas availability.

Maldives Gas introduced restrictions on gas sales during that period to manage available supplies.

The company has also increased the price of gas sold to businesses earlier this year.

The new refill limits will take effect on Saturday, although Maldives Gas has not specified when normal refill quantities are expected to resume.