MEXICALI – The diesel crisis in Mexicali, the capital of Baja California, has yet to end.
Although a tanker ship carrying fuel docked Saturday at the Pemex plant in Rosarito Beach, which stocks the entire state, diesel has yet to make it to Mexicali via a dedicated pipeline.
Mexican sources said it takes about two days to carry the 150,000 barrels of diesel Mexicali consumes every week through the 93-mile pipeline over the La Rumorosa pass to Mexicali.
The fuel is in the pipeline, but Mexicali marked the 10th day of its fuel crisis Tuesday. Gas station owners calculate the problems should be resolved by Friday at the latest.
Cargo haulers have felt the greatest effect of the diesel shortage, because trips have been pushed back or canceled, representatives of trade organizations said.
What little diesel some stations have is being used mainly for urban public transit and emergency and maintenance vehicles, so city services can continue relatively unaffected. It is similar to the situation in Tijuana last week.
Rodrigo Llantada, an executive with the Mexicali Association of Gas Stations, said that of the 53 stations that sell diesel in Mexicali, only two or three had any for sale Tuesday.
Pemex, the national oil monopoly, has rationed some supplies to these stations, he said, delivering about 5,300 gallons to each to ensure public transit doesn't grind to a halt.
Pemex's logistics have failed, Llantada added, and no one there has taken responsibility for the ensuing chaos or offered an explanation for what has been happening.
What little diesel is being distributed in Mexicali is arriving via truck. Dozens of tanker trucks, mainly the orange vehicles of the Dagal company that can carry 16,600 gallons of fuel each, are being used.
“We haven't tallied the losses, it's difficult to measure because many people are cutting back on trips or crossing to Calexico, where diesel is more expensive, so they can keep working,” said Oscar Castro, the chairman of the Transportation Committee of the Mexicali Maquiladora Association.
Omar Millan Gonzalez is a contributor to The Union-Tribune's Spanish-language newspaper, Enlace.
