Cambodia Has 21 Days of Fuel Reserves Despite Middle East War, Minister Says
Cambodia Has 21 Days of Fuel Reserves Despite Middle East War, Minister Says
PHNOM PENH, March 9, 2026 — Cambodia currently holds fuel reserves sufficient for about 21 days, Energy Minister Keo Rottanak said on Sunday, seeking to reassure the public amid rising global energy concerns linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The minister said Cambodia is not facing a shortage of fuel reserves, even as global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted following escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
“Our current reserves can sustain the country for about 21 days even if oil companies cannot import fuel from the international market,” Keo Rottanak said.
His remarks came after several shipping firms, oil companies and traders temporarily suspended shipments of crude oil, fuel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran announced a full maritime closure in response to recent military strikes.
The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, with roughly 20% of global oil supply passing through it.
In 2025, about 13.4 million barrels of crude oil per day moved through the strait — nearly 30% of global seaborne oil trade — including exports from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kuwait and Iran, as well as large volumes of LNG from Qatar.
Cambodian officials said they are monitoring the global energy situation closely but stressed that domestic fuel supply remains stable for now.
