Overview
- EU energy chief Dan Jørgensen said Friday the bloc is assessing rationing and possible releases from strategic stocks as the Gulf conflict keeps oil and refined products tight.
- European aviation faces a jet-fuel crunch with the last Gulf shipment due in Rotterdam on April 9, and carriers including Lufthansa drafting plans that could park 20–40 aircraft if supplies dry up.
- Italy moves to extend its fuel excise cut to May 1, with funding from higher VAT receipts and EU carbon-permit auction proceeds, as regulator ARERA reports a 19.2% jump in March gas bills for protected users.
- Energy markets remain volatile with oil jumping to multi‑year highs, the rare flip of U.S. WTI above Brent, and fresh warnings from the ECB and S&P of stronger inflation and weaker growth in Europe.
- Several lower‑income Asian countries have already imposed rationing or curbs on fuel and power, underscoring how buyers with less spending power face shortages first when key sea lanes close.