Cambodia turns to Singapore, Malaysia for fuel as Vietnam, China restrict supplies

[Flibbertigibbet]

Cambodia turns to Singapore, Malaysia for fuel as Vietnam, China restrict supplies​

Cambodia has no oil refinery, and has less than a month's supply of diesel, jet fuel, liquefied petroleum gas and petrol under normal conditions, its energy minister said.

File photo of Cambodia's national flags seen as labourers work at a construction site in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Oct 7, 2016 (File photo: REUTERS/Samrang Pring)

18 Mar 2026 05:04PM (Updated: 19 Mar 2026 07:45AM)

SINGAPORE: Cambodia is importing more fuel from suppliers in Singapore and Malaysia to make up for supply shortfalls from Vietnam and China, its energy minister told Reuters on Wednesday (May 18), as the US-Israeli war on Iran squeezes fuel availability globally.

About a third of the 6,300 petrol stations in the country of nearly 18 million people closed last week due to uncertainty over the impact of the conflict on fuel prices, but many have reopened ever since and only 5.77 per cent are closed currently, Energy Minister Keo Rottanak told Reuters.

Vietnam and China have restricted fuel exports until at least end-March to arrest potential domestic shortages. Neighbouring Thailand banned exports in July 2025 after the onset of armed conflict with Cambodia and has not resumed supplies since.

Thailand and Vietnam together accounted for over 60 per cent of Cambodia's annual petroleum product imports in 2024, while Singapore and Malaysia made up nearly a third and China accounted for around 7 per cent, according to data from International Trade Centre, a Geneva-based UN-WTO trade agency.

Rottanak said Cambodia was boosting imports from Singapore and Malaysia due to export restrictions elsewhere.

"We're still able to import a little bit from China. But because we have strong partnerships with global suppliers Total and Chevron, they are able to mitigate some of the risk," he said in an interview to Reuters.

Rottanak did not provide specifics on when the supplies from Singapore and Malaysia would arrive, but said current fuel stockpiles were comparable to historical levels.

Gasoline and diesel exports from the two countries to Cambodia in the first 18 days of this month were 25 per cent higher than the same period last year, but 40 per cent lower than in the final 18 days of February, Kpler data showed.

Cambodia has no oil refinery, and has less than a month's supply of diesel, jet fuel, liquefied petroleum gas and petrol under normal conditions, Rottanak said.

"We are not yet 100 per cent insulated at this stage, but the inflow seems to be okay for the time being," he said.

 

[Flibbertigibbet]

Soon Singapore will run out of fuel too....how liddat?

 

[syed putra]

Very difficult. Its every man for himself situation.
The entire oil and gas Infrastructure in middle east most likely will Be destroyed.
That is Israel most desired outcome.

 

[Narong Wongwan]

Cambodia is a pariah state. Let them rot
Maybe this could be catalyst for uprising to overthrow the regime which is a good thing

 

[Dongyi]

Soon Singapore will run out of fuel too....how liddat?

Will charging EV become more expensive ?

 

[winners]

For short distances of up to 10km, can ride a (manual) bicycle. No fuel needed.

 

[Flibbertigibbet]

Will charging EV become more expensive ?

Hopefully. We shouldn't allow EV car owners to be subsidized

 

[Dongyi]

Hopefully. We shouldn't allow EV car owners to be subsidized

The 3 EV charging lots in front of my block always boh seng lee leh.

 

[laksaboy]

Please help. Scambodia needs all the energy supply to operate its scam centres.

Abang Tiongkok in big trouble now, Scambodia can't leech benefits from it like in the good old days.

It's been barely a year. Having friendly diplomatic ties with China is worthless. Ask Iran, whose weapons and safety bunkers were from China.

 

[laksaboy]

Will charging EV become more expensive ?

Was charging EV even cheap in the first place than the usual pump full tank ritual?

All you're doing is meeting the KPIs of the anti-carbon cultists, and bask yourself in the smug satisfaction that you are 'making a difference' in 'saving the planet'.

 

[congo9]

Tiong get into all sorts of trouble.
From energy to their economy, from tariff to over production down to their real estate lead economy.

Mr Xi does not have the brain power to mend the economy. The recent saga facing Pte entpreneuer Pang dong lai(Trivalling business )is a good example of why Xi's China is not going to become consumer economy soon.