Trending Now - Africa Faces Fuel Crisis as Middle East Tensions Escalate
WHO:
Michael Williamson, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Ramnath Iyer, U.S.-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis
Jennifer Zabasajja, Bloomberg
Joumanna Bercetche, Bloomberg
WHAT:
QatarEnergy reported that its Ras Laffan LNG hub sustained “extensive damage” after being struck by Iranian missiles twice in 12 hours on March 2nd, 2026.
Wood Mackenzie stated that disruption to global natural gas supply is now likely to last longer than two months due to the attacks on Ras Laffan.
Benchmark natural gas prices in Asia and Europe surged 60%-70% since the war began on February 28th, 2026.
India started rationing natural gas supplies for manufacturers, with fertilizer plants receiving a maximum of 70% of their demand as of March 19th, 2026.
Eleven tankers originally bound for Europe have rerouted to Asia since the war began on February 28th, 2026.
If the Strait of Hormuz blockade lasts a whole year, the impact on European natural gas prices could be “as big or bigger than in 2022,” according to Kpler’s Boccara.
Many African nations are facing fuel shortages, with some having only weeks of oil left due to the war in Iran.
African countries are being outbid by wealthier nations for fuel supplies, raising concerns about price hikes across the continent.
Shortages of shipping fuel are emerging in Asia and West Africa as vessels seek supply outside the Middle East, according to marine fuel trader Monjasa Group.
Asian countries are conserving energy and protecting consumers due to disruptions in oil and gas supplies caused by the war on Iran.
Only about 90 vessels, mostly Indian, Pakistani, and Chinese-flagged, have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since February 28th, 2026.
Japan released 15 days of private-sector oil stockpiles and a month's worth from national reserves.
Japan had approximately 250 days of reserves as of the end of 2025.
A liter of regular gasoline in Japan was selling for about 175 yen ($1.09) on March 17th, 2026, up from around 144 yen ($0.91) a month prior.
South Korea imports about 70% of its oil and 20% of its liquefied natural gas from the Middle East.
Thailand's emergency energy plan included suspending petroleum exports and ramping up coal output.
The Philippines rolled out cash assistance of 5,000 pesos ($83) to about 139,000 tricycle taxi drivers in Manila.
Pakistan ordered schools to shut for two weeks and cut free fuel allocations for government vehicles by 50% for two months.
Nepal's state-run Nepal Oil Corporation began rationing cooking gas to about 7.1 kilograms (15 pounds) per cylinder.
WHERE:
The Ras Laffan LNG hub is located in Qatar.
Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Vietnam.
Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for oil and gas.
WHEN:
The attacks on Ras Laffan occurred on March 2nd, 2026.
The report of the damage to Ras Laffan was made on March 19th, 2026.
The war on Iran began affecting oil and gas supplies on February 28th, 2026.
Cash assistance in the Philippines was reported on March 19th, 2026.
The gasoline price increase in Japan was noted on March 17th, 2026.
WHY:
The war in Iran is disrupting fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, impacting supply chains globally.
The war on Iran is disrupting oil and gas flows, leading to increased prices and supply shortages in Asia and Africa.
HOW:
Countries are implementing measures such as releasing oil stockpiles, providing cash assistance, and rationing fuel to manage the energy crisis.
(UPDATED March 19, 2026 23:08 UTC)
QatarEnergy reported extensive damage to its Ras Laffan LNG hub after it was struck by Iranian missiles twice within 12 hours on March 2nd, and experts now predict that disruptions to global natural gas supplies could last longer than two months. Since the onset of the war on February 28th, benchmark natural gas prices in Asia and Europe have surged by 60 to 70 percent, prompting India to ration natural gas supplies for manufacturers, limiting fertilizer plants to just 70 percent of their demand. Additionally, eleven tankers originally bound for Europe have been rerouted to Asia, highlighting the ongoing impact of the conflict on global energy markets.
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(UPDATED March 19, 2026 17:23 UTC)
Many African nations are grappling with severe fuel shortages, with some countries facing only weeks of oil left due to the ongoing war in Iran, which is disrupting shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Wealthier nations are outbidding these African countries for fuel supplies, raising concerns about potential price hikes across the continent. Additionally, shortages of shipping fuel are emerging in Asia and West Africa as vessels seek alternative supplies outside the Middle East, according to marine fuel trader Monjasa Group.
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(UPDATED March 19, 2026 15:15 UTC)
Asian countries are taking significant steps to conserve energy and protect consumers as disruptions in oil and gas supplies continue due to the war on Iran, which began affecting flows on February 28. In response, Japan has released oil stockpiles and saw gasoline prices rise to about 175 yen per liter, while the Philippines has rolled out cash assistance for tricycle taxi drivers. Other nations, including Pakistan and Thailand, are implementing measures like closing schools and ramping up coal output to manage the ongoing energy crisis.