Asian economies heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil have been among the hardest hit by the global energy shock triggered after the US and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.
The disruption escalated sharply following Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz - a vital maritime chokepoint that typically handles around 20 million barrels of oil per day.
Governments across the region have rushed to implement emergency measures aimed at conserving fuel, stabilizing supply, and shielding their economies.
According to data cited by the Financial Times, Singapore is fully reliant on imported crude oil, followed by the Philippines at 95%, Thailand at 79.5% and Vietnam at 56.8%. Brunei depends on imports for 41.3% of its supply, while Indonesia and Malaysia are comparatively less exposed at 35.2% and 15.6%, respectively.
According to data from seasia.stats on March 30, fuel prices surged across Southeast Asia since the conflict began, with the Philippines seeing the highest increases. Gasoline rose 54.2% and diesel 81.6%. Myanmar followed with a rise of 55.4% for gasoline and 76.9% for diesel, while Cambodia reported increases of 52.8% and 78.7%, respectively. In Laos, gasoline climbed 32.9% and diesel surged 72.4%.
In Vietnam, petrol increased 31.8% and diesel 45.9%; in Malaysia, 28.7% for petrol and 57.9% for diesel; in Singapore, 20.5% and 44.0%, respectively; and in Thailand, gasoline rose 8.7% and diesel 9.1%. Indonesia recorded no hike.
China
China, the world’s largest crude importer, ordered top refiners to suspend diesel and gasoline exports. The country reportedly ramped up crude imports early in 2026.
Controls on retail gasoline and diesel prices were imposed to curb fluctuations.
President Xi Jinping called for accelerated development of a new energy system, emphasizing hydropower, ecological protection, and safe nuclear expansion amid Middle East supply disruptions.
Thailand
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Tuesday called for measures such as remote work, reduced private car use and greater reliance on public transportation, carpooling and energy conservation.
Other measures including suspending overseas trips, setting air conditioning at 26-27C (around 80F), wearing short-sleeved shirts without neckties, turning off electrical appliances, reducing photocopier use and promoting online meetings were ordered for public officials in March.
Thailand suspended its oil exports in March and tightened controls on crude palm oil exports from Tuesday.
Japan
In March, Japan began its largest-ever release of oil from strategic reserves.
The country also has a subsidy in place for gasoline and other fuels.
At the end of March, Japan decided to temporarily expand coal-fired power generation for one year to address concerns over crude oil and LNG supplies.
The government said it is considering asking companies and the public to reduce electricity and petroleum consumption.
South Korea
South Korea capped domestic fuel prices and rolled out preemptive measures in March, including lifting restrictions on coal-fired plants and raising nuclear power use to 80%.
A $17 billion supplementary budget is under review, with committees seeking nearly $2 billion more, Chosun Daily reported.
Seoul is negotiating crude oil and naphtha supplies with Kazakhstan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and plans to partially reroute shipments via the Red Sea as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka introduced Wednesdays as holidays under a four-day workweek in mid-March, but the scheme was canceled in early April.
A QR code-based system was implemented to ration fuel, and electric car owners were urged to avoid nighttime charging.
Citizens were encouraged to reduce personal vehicle use and rely on cycling, carpooling, and public transport.
Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced on Monday plans to buy crude oil from Russia, with deliveries expected by mid-April, and the government proposed a $320 million relief package for affected households.
Pakistan
Pakistan introduced a four-day workweek for public officials, with 50% remote work on other days, and universities were ordered to shift to fully remote classes in March.
Officials face bans on foreign travel, official dinners, and in-person meetings, while new vehicle purchases are prohibited and over half of government vehicles were removed from roads.
Bazaars and malls were ordered to close by 8 p.m., highway speed limits were reduced, and free public transport for a month in Islamabad started April 3.
Fuel prices surged in April, petrol up 42.7% to $1.64 and diesel 54.9% to $1.86, before being cut by $0.29 following public backlash.
The prime minister has also encouraged greater use of electric vehicles.
Myanmar
Myanmar imposed fuel restrictions from March 7, allowing non-electric cars with even-numbered plates to drive on even dates and odd-numbered plates on odd dates.
A digital rationing system using tax barcodes and QR codes was later introduced in major cities, and on March 22, motorists were limited to two refueling trips per week, replacing the odd-even rule.
Government staff were ordered to work from home on Wednesdays, with the private sector encouraged to follow.
The measures have raised electric vehicle prices.
The Energy Ministry reported that rationing cut fuel use by 29%, saving $6 million daily.
India
India invoked emergency powers to boost LPG production, and prioritized households and essential sectors like hospitals, schools, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and agriculture for allocation.
Industries were directed to switch to piped natural gas.
Flag-carrier Air India raised fuel surcharges and cut flights, while crude oil imports from Russia were increased.
Nepal
Nepal had a period of panic buying and shortages in cooking gas cylinders in March, forcing authorities to take measures. The country’s main oil company then said it would only fill empty cylinders halfway.
A one-day weekly holiday in government offices and academic institutions was extended to two days.
The government also made a policy decision to allow the conversion of old diesel and petrol vehicles into electric vehicles.
Aviation fuel prices were nearly doubled.
Bangladesh
In March, Bangladesh closed schools nationwide and moved up Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
The government urged efficient electricity use, introduced scheduled blackouts, reduced office hours by one hour from April 3, and required shops to close by 6 p.m.
High-ranking officials, including the prime minister, will cut official vehicle fuel use by 30%, and interest-free vehicle loans are suspended for all officials.
The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation capped daily fuel sales to vehicles in April.
Cambodia
The government said it plans to build its own oil refinery and crude stockpile by 2029.
Authorities have told public officials to cut fuel use, hold meetings online and limit nonessential travel, according to the Khmer Times.
Gasoline and diesel taxes were also cut in March.
Laos
Laos has implemented remote-work and shift systems for public-sector workers and shortened the school week from five to three days.
Ministries were instructed to hold more remote meetings, rotate staff shifts, limit nonessential travel, and enforce cost-saving measures.
Philippines
The Philippines declared a "national energy emergency" on March 25, becoming the first country to do so.
It also imposed a four-day government workweek and restricted nonessential travel. Agencies were told to cut fuel and power use, with $4 billion allocated to support key sectors and cash relief for transport workers.
Public offices were urged to set climate control at 24C (75F).
Over 700,000 barrels of Russian crude were imported in late March, and 393 gas stations closed by Wednesday.
Vietnam
Vietnam urged citizens to limit movement, work remotely, and favor cycling, carpooling, or public transport.
Businesses were advised to adopt renewable energy, upgrade to energy-efficient machinery, and optimize logistics.
Petroleum taxes were cut to 0% through April, and airlines reduced flights and suspended some domestic routes.
Malaysia
Malaysians have been urged to conserve energy to extend domestic fuel reserves.
AirAsia X announced on Monday that it will raise fares by up to 40%, increase fuel surcharges by 20%, and reduce some flights, according to the Malay Mail.
Civil servants living more than 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) from their offices will work from home three days a week from April 15 and must log attendance hourly via an online geolocation system.
Subsidized fuel was limited to 200 liters per month, and public officials face restrictions on overseas travel.
Singapore
Singapore urged citizens and businesses to conserve energy, use more efficient appliances, favor fans over air-conditioning, and take public transport.
Platform workers and taxi drivers are receiving cash relief from April, with cost-of-living payments and vouchers planned for the coming months.
Temporary co-funding will support essential bus services for students, seniors, and persons with disabilities, while the corporate tax rebate rose to 50%. An energy efficiency grant is available to all sectors through March 31, 2028.
Indonesia
The government has ordered civil servants to work from home, requiring them to enable location tracking and respond to messages within five minutes during working hours.
Fuel surcharges for domestic airlines were raised by 38% on Monday, according to the Jakarta Globe.
Authorities have also cut official travel, capped subsidized fuel at 50 liters per day through May, introduced a 50% biodiesel blend for subsidized diesel, and reduced the use of official vehicles by up to 50%, except for electric vehicles.
The public has been urged to conserve energy and use public transport.
Taiwan
Taiwan has rolled out a dual price-smoothing mechanism and temporary fuel tax cuts to cushion recent spikes in gasoline and diesel prices in March, with state-owned CPC Corp absorbing part of the global cost increases.
The government is also offering targeted subsidies to agriculture and fisheries to protect key primary sectors from higher energy costs.
In addition, Taiwan plans to increase coal-fired power generation as part of broader efforts to reinforce energy security amid supply disruptions, Bloomberg reported.
news_share_descriptionsubscription_contact
