# Fuel shortages and informal trade in Nampula > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fuel-shortages-and-informal-trade-in-nampula > Updated: 2026-09-08T15:10:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. The Nampula province in Mozambique has faced significant fuel instability. In late August, the city of Nampula experienced a gasoline shortage that resulted in long queues and the closure of many service stations. During this period, the three ocean terminals in Nacala were operating in “reserve mode,” with fuel availability dropping from 20 million liters to approximately 1.2 million liters. Authorities attempted to stabilize the situation by seizing illegally sold fuel and unloading six million liters of gasoline to normalize supply. By early September, despite previous enforcement operations by the Rapid Intervention Unit, informal fuel sales resurged in parts of Nacala-Porto. Vendors have returned to selling gasoline and diesel through mobile stalls or more discreet methods, such as sales by order, citing a lack of alternative income sources. This resurgence of illegal trade persists amidst the ongoing fuel crisis affecting both formal consumers and authorized vendors. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Nacala-Porto sees resurgence of informal fuel sales Informal gasoline and diesel sales have resurfaced in Nacala-Porto, Mozambique, as vendors cite unemployment and a persistent fuel crisis as drivers for returning to illegal trade despite recent enforcement. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nacala-porto-sees-resurgence-of-informal-fuel-sales ### 2026-08-26: Nampula faces gasoline shortage as fuel supply enters reserve mode Nampula is facing a gasoline shortage as fuel levels at Nacala terminals dropped to 1.2 million liters. Supply is in “reserve mode,” though a recent delivery of 6 million liters aims to normalize distribution. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nampula-faces-gasoline-shortage-as-fuel-supply-enters-reserve-mode --- Cite as: Fuel shortages and informal trade in Nampula. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fuel-shortages-and-informal-trade-in-nampula