Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 19: Because of a slump in demand for diesel in the indigenous market, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) has increased its export of diesel by 20 percent since sometime. Because of decreasing demand, stock of diesel with the company rose abnormally, as a result of which it had to increase its export.

The steep fall in the consumption of diesel has been attributed to fall in sale of commercial vehicles, bulk consumers opting to transport goods by train to save transportation cost, use of less diesel by factories and bulk consumers, it is said. As a result, the ratio of internal consumption that stood at 65:35 has changed to 45:55, it is gathered.

On account of water problem, some months back, a unit of MRPL had suspended operations. Heavy rains also had affected its production capacity. Now all the units are functioning normally. At the same time, the petrol produced by MRPL fully goes towards internal consumption and no need for its export was felt.

Because of slump in demand for diesel, MRPL, which used to pump diesel to Bengaluru through the petronet pipeline on a daily basis, has been supplying once in two or three days now through this pipeline, it is learnt.

Diesel from here goes to countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Surprisingly, diesel had also been exported to a USA-based company from here, company sources revealed.