Dili, April 14, 2026 (Lusa) - Timor-Leste’s petroleum and mineral resources minister said on Tuesday that 80 million litres of diesel, acquired through a direct-purchase agreement, are expected to arrive in the country by the end of this month.

“We are working to ensure that the ship carrying the fuel arrives in Timor-Leste before the end of this month,” Francisco Monteiro told Lusa.

When asked about the fuel's storage location, he said the vessel would remain docked in Timor-Leste for as long as required.

Timor-Leste’s government approved, earlier this month, an expenditure of $168.8 million (€143.1 million) to purchase 80 million litres of diesel, mainly for the country’s power stations, due to the conflict in the Middle East.

"This decision aims to ensure the creation of a security reserve sufficient to last until the end of 2026, in the event of a further fuel shortage due to the prolongation of the conflict in the Middle East," the government said, after having set maximum limits on fuel prices at the end of March.

MSE/MYAL // ADB.

Lusa