Vietnam: Review of Fuel Standards Follows Vehicle Fires
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Wednesday, 18 January 2012 |
The Ministry of Science and Technology will review national fuel standards following an investigation into a spate of vehicle fires late last year. In a directive posted on the Government website, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (pictured) ordered the Ministry to pay particular attention to fuel additives.
Following several vehicle fires in Vietnam, the Ministry of Science and Technology conducted tests on several fuel service stations to see if corrupted fuel was the cause. Of 50 car fires and 39 motorcycle fires, 25 and 31 cases respectively are still not officially explained. According to Government-owned Vietnam News, however, high levels of methanol in fuel and poor quality gasoline was a key factor in several incidents.
Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Science and Technology found in November that 11 fuel service stations were selling fuel that did not comply with national standards. One of the 11 stations has since been shut permanently, while two others are suspending operations for a year.
The Government's new directive will see the Ministry of Science and Technology working closely with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which is responsible for the nation's oil supply, to inspect product quality nationwide. Retail stations found in violation of national fuel standards will be shut permanently, according to the directive.
PetrolWorld 18012012
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