Fuel Trading Slows Down at Oil Depots in Mauloo region, Inn Daw as Buyers Become Scarce

Pajau Media

July 4, 2025

In Sagaing Region’s Inn Daw Township, within Mauloo region, fuel trading at oil depots near Phar Pant village has slowed significantly, with sellers outnumbering buyers. The fuel, mainly transported from the lower regions, is typically routed through Phar Pant oil depot before being sent to Kachin State which is a practice ongoing for several months.

Previously, fuel trucks would travel directly to Kachin State. However, due to increased checks and seizures of unlicensed vehicles in Kachin, trucks now stop and conduct transactions at depots instead. To sell fuel at the depot, truck drivers must pay a fee of 10,000 kyats per vehicle at the NUG checkpoint, and another 3,000 kyats per barrel if they wish to park inside the depot compound.

A fuel truck driver, Tun Naing (name changed), explained: "There are many sellers but almost no buyers. Even those with licensed vehicles are hesitant, fearing checkpoint inspections. If authorities want to make arrests, they can easily do so, so everyone is waiting at the depot. Some drivers, unable to wait any longer, are forced to sell at lower prices, leading to disputes among drivers."

Some fuel carriers from upper regions buy from the depot and pay a rental fee of 3,000 kyats per barrel for designated storage space. If they want to exchange barrels, they must do so with individuals authorized by the depot committee, also paying 3,000 kyats per barrel exchanged.

Additionally, before reaching the depot, drivers must pay checkpoint fees:

10,000 kyats per barrel at the village entrance (KIA/PDF checkpoint),

5,000 kyats per barrel at the KIA checkpoint,

5,000 kyats per barrel at the Inn Daw township PDF checkpoint,with other fees required.

The experience of drivers trading at Phar Pant Oil Depot No. 1, which opened in early June, reflects the growing challenges and frustrations in the regional fuel trade.

News- Hting Naing