EU Flags Fuel Shortage Risk as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Persist
The European Commission has warned of possible fuel shortages as Middle East tensions keep oil and jet fuel prices high and volatile.
The European Union has raised the alarm over the possibility of fuel shortages, pointing to mounting tensions in the Middle East and persistently high oil prices.
Speaking in Dublin, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas said crude oil and jet fuel prices remain elevated and are still climbing, while geopolitical developments grow more precarious by the day.
"Jet fuel markets are tight, and we are start seeing again the risk of shortages," he said, adding that the situation around the Strait of Hormuz remains deeply concerning. He reiterated the importance of freedom of navigation and safe passage through the strategic waterway.
The commissioner described the current environment as highly volatile, warning that the instability affects not only energy but also transport, and touches the daily lives of Europeans.
"We need, therefore, to rethink what a truly resilient transport system looks like in Europe," Tzitzikostas said.
No concrete EU-wide plans or subsidies were announced. Transport ministers from across the bloc are meeting in Ireland to discuss the issue and explore ways to reduce the EU's reliance on fossil fuels.