Through the Handbook of Energy and Economic Statistics of Indonesia report, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) collected data on imports of refined fuel oil (BBM) with octane (research octane number/RON) 88 and 90 during 2014-2024.
This type—known by the brand name Pertalite at Pertamina—was the most imported compared to RON 92 and 92.
In 2014, its import volume was 18.82 million kiloliters (kl). This volume only accounted for RON 88. The 2014 imports were also the highest in the last decade.
Subsequently, import volumes consistently declined until 2018. The Ministry of ESDM noted that, in this year, imports already included RON 90.
Although there was a temporary increase in 2019, the import volume dropped again in 2021 to 8.14 million kl. Shipments in 2021 were the lowest in the last 10 years.
As for the latest data in 2024, its import volume reached 16.44 million kl.
Single-Door Fuel Imports
According to *Katadata, the government has begun discussing a single-door fuel import policy through Pertamina. This is to address the scarcity of fuel stock at private Public Fuel Filling Stations (SPBU).
Minister of Trade Budi Santoso estimated that the change in the fuel import scheme would refer to the limited restriction policy stipulated in Government Regulation Number 29 of 2021. Thus, the decision to implement single-door fuel imports must originate from the recommendation of the Ministry of ESDM or the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
"The imposition of limited fuel restrictions must be discussed or go through a curation process by the technical ministry. We have communicated and sent a letter to the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs regarding the single-door fuel import policy," Budi said at the DPR Building on Monday (September 15, 2025).
Meanwhile, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, encouraged private business entities owning SPBUs to cooperate with Pertamina. If private business entities request additional stock, they can collaborate with Pertamina.
(Read Katadata: Single-Door Fuel Import Discourse: State Control Rises, Private Sector Could Be Squeezed)