As the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to one-fifth of the world's oil supply, countries across Asia are acting to prevent energy shortages, from four-day workweeks in Sri Lanka and the Philippines to driving restrictions in Myanmar.
In Australia, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the nation's fuel supply remained stable despite some regional areas experiencing shortages, telling critics "rationing is not a conversation that we need to have at this point."
"We've been striking agreements, company by company, that they will release more of that fuel into the regions and we're starting to see some of that flow," he told ABC TV.
This week, Sri Lanka ordered a four-day workweek for state institutions, schools and universities to preserve fuel stocks.
The temporary measures commenced on Wednesday, are the latest in a string of measures implemented by governments across Asia in preparation for the fallout from an expanding war in the Middle East.
The country's Commissioner-General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, designated Wednesdays an unpaid holiday and urged the private sector to adopt the same.
"We are also asking the private sector to follow suit and declare every Wednesday a holiday from now on," Chandrakeerthi told reporters after an emergency meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Officials said the country's petrol and diesel reserves would last nearly six weeks, but warned that any disruption to fresh supplies could severely affect the island nation.
The country imports all of its fuel — refined petroleum largely from neighbouring Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea, and crude oil from the Middle East.
Fuel rationing in Sri Lanka began on Sunday, with motorists limited to 15 litres of petrol or diesel per week, and public transport allocated 200 litres per week.
Similar measures are being adopted across Asia.
In the Philippines, surging fuel prices prompted a four-day workweek for public servants and speculation of fuel rationing.
The price of diesel has doubled in the country, with public transport drivers hit drastically.
Tricycle drivers — Manila's main mode of public transport — were the first to receive an $US85 ($120) fuel subsidy. The subsidy program will be expanded to include transport network vehicle services drivers, motorcycle taxi drivers, bus drivers and jeepney drivers, Al Jazeera reported.
The Philippines holds reserves for 50-60 days, but in privately owned commercial inventories. Finance Secretary Frederick Go said on Wednesday the government is in the process of acquiring two million barrels of oil from the global market, to add 10 additional days to the country’s buffer fuel stock.
Thailand moved to ban oil exports, except to neighbouring Cambodia and Laos, and gas stations have banned the use of jerry cans.
Thai Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon has said the country had reserves for 65 days, which the government would seek to supplement with supplies for an additional 30 days.
The country's government urged civil servants to work from home, for citizens to take the stairs rather than elevators, and increased the air-conditioning temperature to 27C.
In a public show of compliance this week, five Thai television news anchors shed their suit jackets on-air.
'Force majeure' declarations, odd-even restrictions
Petrochemical countries across the region have begun to declare force majeure — a contractual clause preventing liability in the case of an extreme event — indicating they may be unable to fulfil their obligations, including Singapore’s Aster Chemicals and Energy and Indonesia’s PT Chandra Asri Pacific.
On Tuesday, Thai petrochemicals firm Rayong Olefins said it was forced to suspend operations as it was unable to acquire raw materials amid the Strait of Hormuz closure.
Myanmar's military junta imposed strict fuel rationing and an odd-even license plate driving system for private vehicles to combat severe fuel shortages, heavily influenced by delivery blockages from Thailand and Singapore.
Private cars and motorcycles — except electric vehicles — are only allowed on the roads every other day based on their license plate numbers, with even-numbered plates operating on even dates and odd-numbered plates on odd dates, according to the ruling National Defence and Security Council.
Could Australia see fuel rations?
Significant disruptions to the global oil supply chain have in the past been alleviated by the release of oil stockpiles held by members of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Australia is among 32 member states that signed an IEA treaty in the 1970s following Middle East oil shocks, committing to maintain 90 days of the previous year's net oil imports.
However, it is the only member that does not meet this obligation, having failed to comply since 2012.
Australian motorists have seen fuel rations before. In the late 1970s, the Iranian Revolution produced a global oil shock, spurring supply shortages and huge price hikes. The closing of refineries due to operator strikes led to up to two weeks of fuel rationing in Australia.
A similar odd-even license plate system was used, and a ten-dollar cap was placed on filling up.
Australia imports about 90 per cent of its oil, meaning a heavy reliance on the fuel coming through the Strait of Hormuz.
The country has roughly one month's worth of liquid fuel reserves, and Bowen has moved from quarterly to weekly fuel stock updates. The government maintains that panic buying is driving the perceived fuel shortages in Australia.
This week, the consumer watchdog said it would haul major fuel suppliers for an explanation on skyrocketing prices in for an emergency meeting.
Several retailers, including Ampol, BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil and 7-Eleven, will be among those summoned by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
— With additional reporting from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
