Fuel transportation and logistics in Zimbabwe

Most of the fuel in Zimbabwe enters the country via the pipeline which runs from the port of Beira in Mozambique to Feruka in Mutare and then to NOIC’s main depots and storage facilities in Harare (Msasa and Mabvuku), Bulawayo, Mutare and Beitbridge. Some fuel is transported from Beira and from South Africa by road and rail. Once in the country internal transportation of fuel to customers and consumers is done by road, by specialised fuel tankers which need to conform to stringent health and safety regulations. Most fuel tankers are fitted with either solid chassis hulls – tanker trucks - or skid tanks on flat beds. A skid tank is specially designed for stability with a cylindrical tank mounted on skids or runners which allow you to easily relocate your tank if it cannot be lifted. These tanks are built to withstand rugged treatment. Capacities range from 1,000 litres to 10,000 litres. All forms of road transportation require operators to meet strict standards of safety for loading and offloading both at source and at the final delivery destination.

Road transport is the most logical solution for delivering smaller amounts of fuels to service stations and industrial users. Tankers can reach remote areas or places where there is no easy access and it’s quite an efficient mode of transport. Tankers can be built with internal compartments so different types of fuel can be transported at one time, rather than having to make separate trips for petrol, diesel or other fuel.

Private companies are now able to import fuel through DFIs (direct fuel imports) under license from ZERA. For some years Zimbabwe experienced severe fuel shortages and even rationing, but the various options now available, and the increased efficiency of NOIC, has made the fuel supply situation much more stable and reliable. Currently fuel is easily available at all service stations across the country and the price, as regulated by ZERA, is fairly stable, although most fuel is sold in USD.

As the economy grows industry, mining and agriculture are all demanding more fuel. The number of small private vehicles on Zimbabwe’s roads has also grown rapidly and exponentially in recent years adding to increased demand. The number of service stations has increased across the country to meet these needs with new service stations opening up every month. Particularly after the restrictions imposed by the

COVID epidemic have eased, and industry slowly returns to normal, the call for fuel has increased dramatically.

According to figures released by ZERA Zimbabwe’s fuel consumption increased to almost 1,2 billion litres during the 11 months to November 2021, compared to just over one billion litres in 2020 – and the upward trend has continued in 2022 and through to this year.

As the demand for fuel is increasing there is a corresponding rise in the number of companies offering fuel delivery and logistics. Logistics can be defined as “the process of planning and executing the efficient transportation and storage of goods from the point of origin to the point of consumption.” A number of smaller companies that specialise in the transportation of fuel are opening up to meet current demands, and the rationalising of fuel licenses by ZERA has helped stimulate this sector of the economy. However, a handful of bigger and more established companies continue to dominate. One of the most established is Dharwizi. It is a rapidly expanding fuel transport company which was registered in Zimbabwe in 2002 to provide reliable, fast and efficient road transport and delivery services for fuel across Southern Africa. RAM Petroleum has partnered with

Dharwizi in the transportation business and has their own outlets and service stations. They also have substantial fuel storage facilities. Strauss Logistics is a leading bulk fuel transporter based in Zimbabwe for both road and rail transport across central Africa and the SADC region. Petrofit Energy supplies fuel in bulk and retail quantities including petrol, diesel and LP Gas. ZX Fuels (Private) Limited, a Zimbabwean company incorporated in 2009, is licensed under ZERA to import and wholesale petroleum products throughout Zimbabwe. While there are many companies that specialise in fuel transport these are a few leaders of the pack.