# Fuel Supply Remains Tight Despite Refinery Start-Up **Category:** Industry News | **Source:** Bundesamt für wirtschaftliche Landesversorgung (BWL) | **Published:** 2026-10-03 | **Updated:** 2026-10-05 **Tags:** Schweiz, Diesel, Benzin, Cressier, Rhein, Niedrigwasser, Pflichtlager, Binnenschifffahrt, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Seefracht, Schienentransport, Zoll > Cressier is back in production and the mandatory storage release has concluded. However, low water levels on the Rhine continue to limit import capacity. --- Swiss supply of petrol and diesel is now available again through normal channels. The Cressier refinery in the canton of Neuchâtel has resumed production following a technical stoppage of approximately two weeks. Therefore, no further withdrawals from mandatory reserves are currently required. Despite this, the situation remains somewhat tense. The low water level of the Rhine continues to limit how much cargo an inland vessel can carry. Less cargo per trip means more journeys, higher costs, and reduced available capacity. Rail transport and the product pipeline from France to Geneva cannot fully replace a major outage in the short term. From 8 to 20 September, the federal government permitted withdrawal of up to 30,000 cubic meters of petrol and the same amount of diesel. The full quantity of petrol was withdrawn, while approximately two-thirds of diesel was taken. Both maximum quantities remained below three percent of the respective mandatory reserves. The withdrawn quantities must be replenished within six months. For transport operators, price and availability trends are of particular importance. The federal government reports no general supply shortage. Regional bottlenecks, longer procurement routes, or higher surcharges are possible if low water levels persist. Dispatchers should monitor fuel tank levels, delivery times, and diesel price adjustment clauses more closely. --- Don't panic and stockpile, but check reserves and delivery windows. Those managing large fleets should have a second supply source and clear diesel surcharges defined in their contract. In short: fuel is available, but supply remains vulnerable. --- Cressier is Switzerland's only crude oil refinery. It normally covers slightly more than 30 percent of Switzerland's demand for mineral oil products. The mandatory strategic reserve release applied from September 8 to 20, 2026. A total of 30,000 m³ each of gasoline and diesel were released. The full amount of gasoline was utilized. Approximately two-thirds of the diesel was utilized. Restocking must be completed within six months. The Rhine remains restricted due to low water levels. ## Related Entities ### Countries - [France](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/fr) - [Germany](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/de) - [Netherlands](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/nl) - [Switzerland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ch) ### Glossary - [Sourcing](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/sourcing) - [Supply Chain](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/supply-chain) - [Inland Waterway Transport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/inland-waterway-transport) - [delivery deadline](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/delivery-deadline-2) - [breakage](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/breakage) - [Compulsory stockpile (mandatory reserve)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/compulsory-stockpile-mandatory-reserve) - [Diesel](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/diesel) - [Low Water](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/low-water) --- *Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/treibstoffversorgung-bleibt-trotz-raffineriestart-angespannt-20260924084724](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/treibstoffversorgung-bleibt-trotz-raffineriestart-angespannt-20260924084724)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/treibstoffversorgung-bleibt-trotz-raffineriestart-angespannt-20260924084724](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/treibstoffversorgung-bleibt-trotz-raffineriestart-angespannt-20260924084724)*