Petrol demand in Thessaloniki has spiked, with some stations running out of 95 octane as fears grow that oil could top $100 a barrel. Fuel stations across Thessaloniki have begun running out of unleaded petrol after a surge in demand triggered by renewed tensions in the Middle East and immediate increases in pump prices.
Over the weekend, and peaking on Monday, motorists queued to fill their tanks with what many described as the "last cheap petrol", fearing further rises due to climbing global oil prices. The rush has exposed strains in the local supply chain, with some forecourts reporting empty tanks for standard 95 octane unleaded.
The president of the Panhellenic Federation of Fuel Traders, Themis Kiourtzis, told Voria that consumer demand has "hit red", even as refineries struggle to keep up. "There are delays in loading from the refineries; they load fuel until 13.00. Today, they extended their hours by just two hours. And all this at a time when consumer demand has hit rock bottom. They should be working late into the night. Even for my own station, I struggled to resupply today. Some stations may have run out of fuel," he said.
Read more: Middle East tensions push fuel prices higher in Greece
In several cases, only more expensive 98 octane petrol, selling at around 1.78 euros per litre, and the already costly Super grade remain available. Many drivers, when told there is no cheaper unleaded left, are reportedly leaving to search elsewhere.
The situation is expected to continue in the coming days as international energy markets react to the possibility of further disruption in the Gulf. Analysts have warned that oil prices, currently around $80 per barrel, could rise above $100 if tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains affected. The narrow waterway is considered the world's most critical oil transit chokepoint, with 15-20 million barrels of crude passing through it daily.
By Lina Tsireka - adapted from Greek by Vassia Barba
