Malaysia to import Euro II-compliant gasoline

Malaysian oil companies will start importing Euro II-compliant gasoline and diesel from early August to meet the country’s full switch to tighter fuel specifications that will come into effect September 1. At the same time, oil companies will start importing 95 RON gasoline, as the same deadline of September 1 will see the country phase out of 92 RON in favor of 95 RON. Malaysia typically imports 97 RON gasoline because of a lack of secondary refining units to produce high octane gasoline. The dominant grade in Malaysia is currently 97 RON, with a 95% of market share, while 92 RON only has a 5% market share. Malaysian oil companies have now started phasing out 92 RON at their respective oil terminals, but the impact on imports from the change in fuel specifications will only kick in from August. Chevron Malaysia Limited will start selling 95 RON Caltex with Techron petrol at more than 420 retail outlets by September 1, according to Jeremy Oh, country chairman. (June 24, 2009)