appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Harvey Kong

Illegal operators in Hong Kong have been converting vehicles into mobile refuelling points and posing risks to public safety, according to authorities, as they reported a 42 per cent jump in the average number of monthly complaints about illicit refuelling activities.
The Environment and Ecology Bureau also said on Friday it would meet with local fuel suppliers to ensure they were being transparent about pricing, while the Competition Commission expressed concerns over prices to four petrol firms.
The Fire Services Department said it received 221 complaints about illegal petrol stations in the first two months of the year, or roughly 111 per month – 42 per cent higher than the monthly average of 78 cases in 2025.
The department said prosecutions in January and February had risen even more sharply, increasing by 85 per cent over last year’s monthly average of 20 to 37, with illegal operators deploying tactics such as modifying vehicles for use as mobile refuelling points.
“Back in the day, it could be very large scale like a petrol station, but now the scale is smaller and it is scattered across different places. It could be places like cars and containers,” Divisional Officer Ng Wing-chit told a radio programme, adding that such methods made detection and enforcement more difficult.
As the Middle East war stretched into a second week, oil prices surged above US$100 a barrel, with Iran effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply is transported.
According to the Consumer Council’s fuel price tracker, the price of standard petrol had continued to climb after the conflict began on February 28.
For instance, after accounting for walk-in discounts and the city’s petrol tax, the price of fuel from Caltex had risen from HK$15.43 (US$1.97) per litre to HK$24.13 per litre.
Hong Kong’s fire authorities continue to combat illicit fuelling, with the department arresting a man on Wednesday and seizing 850 litres (224 gallons) of petrol in a raid on a shop in To Kwa Wan.
The Customs and Excise Department on Wednesday also revealed it had intercepted more cross-border vehicles suspected of smuggling petrol in the past few weeks.

To tackle the problem, Ng said that the Fire Services Department would conduct an analysis and share information across the government, adding authorities would use drones to conduct patrols.
“Resident participation is also very important. If they suspect anything, they can report it to us immediately and we can follow up immediately,” he said.
Residents can call the department’s 24-hour hotline at 5577 9666 to report any illegal refuelling stations.
Ng also urged motorists to avoid such stations, noting that buying from them not only carried criminal charges but also came with safety risks, as the sites lacked proper fire safety equipment and management.
“If there is a leak, improper operation or a spark, there is a possibility of fire or an explosion. It is very dangerous,” he said.
Speaking on the same radio show, lawmaker Holden Chow Ho-ding called the war in the Middle East “an extraordinary circumstance” and urged the government to coordinate prices with oil companies.
“Could we ask the government to help privately negotiate with the oil companies? If they agree, the companies can lower prices on their own,” he said.
“This is a special case, brought about to deal with the situation stemming from the war, as this really affects people’s livelihoods.”
Another legislator, Adrian Pedro Ho King-hong, agreed, saying the government should hold discussions with Hong Kong fuel companies to establish a mechanism that would control rising prices.
Beyond regular motorists, the city’s logistics sector would also be hit by increased costs, he said.
The environment bureau said it had reminded major fuel suppliers to increase transparency by revealing more information about price changes to consumers.
“The bureau will meet the local major automotive fuel suppliers and follow up on how to improve information transparency,” it said.
“The government will continue to monitor the geopolitical situation, trends of international energy prices and the local fuel supply to ensure a stable energy supply.”
Authorities also stepped up communication with the city’s two power firms and other major energy companies.
Earlier in the day, the Competition Commission said it met representatives of Caltex, Esso, PetroChina and Sinopec and expressed concern over prices.
The commission added it had reminded companies of the importance of complying with the Competition Ordinance and urged them to be more transparent in their pricing and discounts so drivers could make informed choices.


Foreign chambers back Hong Kong 5-year plan, urge progress on Northern Metropolis

Why a hawkish US Fed won’t derail Hong Kong’s property recovery

Once the world’s most-visited city, Hong Kong now converts hotels into student dorms

Over 11,000 sign up for Hong Kong taxi, ride-hailing test, beating expectations

Hong Kong economy

Jump in illegal refuelling complaints as Hong Kong grapples with rising oil prices

Hong Kong Fire Services Department officers crack down on an illicit petrol station at Yick Fung Building in To Kwa Wan, where three 1,000-litre containers were used for unauthorised storage and refuelling operations. Photo: Dickson Lee

Prices at a petrol station in Mong Kok. Photo: Jelly Tse

More Hong Kong drivers head to mainland China to refuel as oil prices rise

A petrol station in Mong Kok. Hong Kong’s pump prices have surpassed HK$30 per litre for both petrol and diesel. Photo: Jelly Tse

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. More Hong Kong drivers are crossing to the mainland to refuel, automobile association governor Ringo Lee says. Photo: Eugene Lee

Oil price surge may be passed on to Hong Kong consumers, industry chiefs warn

The government has said it is working to ensure a stable fuel supply. Photo: Sam Tsang

The government says it has been urging oil companies to provide more data on auto-fuel prices. Photo: Eugene Lee

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

City receives 221 reports of illegal petrol stations in January and February, or more than four times 2025’s monthly average


City receives 221 reports of illegal petrol stations in January and February, or more than four times 2025’s monthly average.


US-Israel war on Iran

United States

Iran

Israel

Jump in illegal refuelling complaints as Hong Kong grapples with rising oil prices

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}City receives 221 reports of illegal petrol stations in January and February, or more than four times 2025’s monthly average

City receives 221 reports of illegal petrol stations in January and February, or more than four times 2025’s monthly average