Two tankers carrying fuel have arrived at the port of Toamasina, creating a logistical challenge. The Sunda 1 is transporting diesel imported by the State through the State Procurement of Madagascar (SPM) for Jirama, while another vessel carries unleaded petrol, diesel, and kerosene ordered by the Groupement pétrolier de Madagascar (GPM).
The GPM has expressed concerns about the risks posed by this logistical constraint on the fuel supply chain. The main issue is that both ships arrived on the same date, but the port can only accommodate one vessel for unloading at a time. The GPM had scheduled its delivery since April and was only informed later of the State's decision to charter another ship arriving on August 12, 2026.
A more pressing problem concerns storage capacity. By decree dated August 4, 2026, the State requisitioned the storage capacity of Toamasina's petroleum terminal, making it impossible to unload the GPM-chartered vessel. Galana Raffinerie Terminal (GRT) can store only about 65,000 cubic meters of diesel, yet the Jirama shipment alone exceeds 77,000 cubic meters.
Head of State Colonel Michaël Randrianirina visited Toamasina yesterday to welcome the Sunda 1's arrival, describing it as a success of South-South cooperation with Nigeria. When questioned about the GPM's statement, he stated: "I don't think there can be a supply disruption. It's a matter of coordination. We are only supplying Jirama. We are not entering the fuel trade."
However, the GPM argues that insufficient dialogue has prevented proper logistical coordination. The group warns that this disruption risks affecting the organization and balance of the national supply chain, particularly regarding unleaded petrol stocks that need replenishment. The delay in unloading the GPM vessel could cause delays in deliveries to service stations.