Refined Products, Diesel-Gasoil, Jet Fuel, Gasoline

June 17, 2025

Israel's fuel imports surge as Iran conflict collides with summer demand

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HIGHLIGHTS

Road fuel, fuel oil imports jump to three-year high

Haifa refinery offline after Iranian missile attack

Cyprus, Russia, Egypt, US, France supplying fuels

Israel's imports of road fuels and fuel oil have surged to multi-year highs as the country grapples with meeting a seasonal jump in demand for transport and power, and the escalating conflict with Iran, shutting down its main refinery at Haifa.

Clean product imports, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and gasoil, are estimated at 74,000 b/d for June, the highest since July 2022, according to Kpler shipping data after large deliveries on June 16 and June 17 at Haifa. This month's origin countries include Cyprus, Russia, Egypt and Portugal, with recent suppliers also including Greece, the US, and France.

Including fuel oil, Israel's total fuel imports have averaged 104,000 b/d so far in June, also the highest since July 2022, according to the data.

The 197,000 b/d Haifa, owned by the Bazan Group, was shut following a missile strike from Iran, the company said on June 16. Bazan said it is working with Israel Electric Corp. to restore power. In a June 15 attack on Haifa, damage to pipelines and transmission lines at the Haifa refinery were reported on June 15, but Bazan said the crude refining units were still operational at the time.

Israel's energy ministry said it conducts daily infrastructure assessments but declined to comment on specific incidents.

The Haifa refinery produces petroleum and petrochemical products, some of which are exported to Mediterranean markets, including Cyprus, Turkey and Greece. It supplies approximately 65% of the transport diesel and 45% of the gasoline consumed domestically.

Israeli fuel demand, particularly for road fuels and fuel oil, exhibits a notable jump during the summer months, driven by increased travel, tourism, and higher electricity demand for cooling, which in turn raises fuel oil and alternative fuel use for power generation. When natural gas supply is tight or disrupted, as seen during recent regional conflicts, Israel switches to fuel oil and diesel for electricity generation, further boosting summer demand.

Israel and Iran have been in conflict since June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities. In Iran, motorists have been lining up to fill their tanks.

Both nations have expanded their targeting to include energy infrastructure strikes. However, these attacks have so far avoided critical Iranian crude export facilities.

                                                                                                               


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