The National Chamber of Distributors of Petroleum Derivatives of Ecuador (Camddepe) has clarified that, contrary to fears of a nationwide fuel shortage, the fuel supply in the country remains stable. President Ivo Rosero stated that there have been only isolated cases of gas stations running out of fuel for a few hours. These localized incidents are not indicative of a larger issue affecting the country's overall fuel distribution.

Concerns about fuel shortages arose after Petroamazonas declared a force majeure on February 13 at the Esmeraldas Maritime Terminal, following an incident on February 8 during the offloading of diesel from the tanker Seaways Wheat. This incident disrupted storage tanks at the Esmeraldas Refinery, leading to questions about the stability of fuel supplies in various regions. However, Rosero reassured that the situation is under control and only certain areas, such as Quito and Imbabura, may experience temporary shortages.

The clarification from Camddepe coincides with public anxiety stemming from operational disruptions and seeks to alleviate fears among consumers. It highlights the need for regular communication from fuel distributors to keep the public informed about the true state of fuel availability and to prevent unnecessary panic during supply chain challenges.