No Diesel available in Massawa

Created by doina. Last modified on 2007-01-12 11:47:14
Countries: Eritrea

SV DoodleBug visited Massawa from 12/24/2006 through 12/31/2006. We applied for a permit to buy diesel from the Ministry of Tourism in Massawa, with the help of "Mike" (Weldemicael Hobtezion Tel 552467), the cafe owner who has been very helpful to visiting yachtsmen in the past. From the Ministry of Tourism we trekked through perhaps another four offices to the Ministry of Transportation, in order to receive a permit for a specific quantity of diesel. The official here categorically stated that the program to sell small quantities of diesel to tourists was "finished" and sent us back to the Ministry of Tourism. We again visited the Ministry of Tourism in Asmara and were told to go to the Government Garage in Asmara for a permit. Several more offices later, we were finally granted a permit to purchase 100 liters of diesel at around 18 nakfa / liter ( US$1.22 / liter). We had asked to buy 300 liters.

On our return to Massawa we discovered that none of the four fuel stations in town had any diesel. They were expecting a delivery that evening. The following day the story was the same - no diesel in Massawa. The Agip station did have diesel but the pump was broken and they were expecting a mechanic to come from Asmara to fix it "in a few days". We sailed without obtaining any diesel.

We had seen rows of idle fishing trawlers in the anchorage and wondered why they were not working. All was now plain. There is no diesel in Massawa. Visiting yachts should not expect to be able to buy any here under present conditions.

Ed Steele, SV DoodleBug