Cypriot fuel station owners threaten protests over tanker vehicle regulations

The Cyprus Association of Fuel Station Owners held an emergency meeting on May 13 to address a dispute with the Department of Road Transport (TOM) regarding vehicle certification. Owners are protesting a directive that mandates compliance with DRS labeling for approximately 300 fuel tankers, which account for 95% of the fleet. The Department of Road Transport has issued urgent notices requiring these vehicles to be inspected or grounded by June 20. Association President Savvas Prokopiou stated that compliance is practically impossible within the current timeframe, noting that ordering new tankers takes 12 to 18 months. Fuel station owners claim they were previously assured that an extension request would be filed with the European Union, but the department recently sent binding notices instead. The Association has set a deadline of June 9 for a meeting with the Ministry of Transport, warning of potential industrial action if their demands for flexibility are not met. The conflict centers on the practical feasibility of these regulations, with representatives accusing the Director of the Department of Road Transport, Giorgos Loukas, of failing to provide promised solutions.