The Shuama service station in Sunny Isle, St. Croix. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM.
Fuel prices across the U.S. Virgin Islands continued to move higher in the latest territory-wide survey released by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, with regular fuel averaging above $5 per gallon on St. Thomas and St. John, diesel averaging $7.009 on St. Thomas, and many gas stations on St. Croix already displaying $4.99 per gallon at the pump.
DLCA Commissioner H. Nathalie Hodge notified the public of the agency’s latest self-service fuel price survey findings for the week of May 11. The department said the surveys are intended to help consumers identify the most affordable fuel prices across the territory, with fuel survey findings and rack rates provided for comparative viewing and transparency.
The local price movement comes as fuel costs are being watched in the broader context of the Iran war and its effect on global energy markets. V.I. Consortium has separately reported on concerns that the prolonged conflict could continue affecting fuel, shipping and living costs in the territory, while international oil markets remain volatile as traders respond to supply risks, negotiations and disruptions tied to the conflict.
According to DLCA, Sol Petroleum’s wholesale rack rates for May 12 through May 18 were $3.95 for regular fuel, $4.10 for premium fuel and $4.65 for diesel. The agency’s 30-day comparison between April 15 and May 15 showed wholesale regular fuel rising from $3.40, an increase of $0.55 or 16.18 percent. Premium fuel rose from $3.50, an increase of $0.60 or 17.14 percent, while diesel increased from $4.49, up $0.16 or 5.6 percent.
On St. Croix, DLCA’s summary listed the average self-service price for regular fuel at $4.4619 per gallon, while the accompanying infographic rounded that figure to $4.462. Premium fuel averaged $4.898 per gallon, and diesel averaged $5.451 per gallon. The lowest regular fuel price was $3.999 per gallon at Island Petroleum, which also had the lowest premium price at $4.199 per gallon. The lowest diesel price was $4.799 per gallon at Titan Service Station.
The accompanying St. Croix station-by-station table showed regular self-service fuel ranging from $3.999 to $5.299 per gallon, premium from $4.199 to $5.699, and diesel from $4.799 to $6.499. The table also listed an average regular self-service price of $4.619, while the DLCA summary and infographic listed the regular average at $4.4619 and $4.462, respectively. Several St. Croix stations in the table listed regular fuel at $4.999 per gallon, consistent with prices V.I. Consortium has observed at many local pumps.
St. Croix marina prices listed in the report included Green Cay Marina at $5.90 for premium and $6.75 for diesel, and St. Croix Marine Center at $5.50 for premium and $6.25 for diesel. Propane prices on St. Croix were listed at $23 for a 20-pound cylinder, $93 for a 100-pound regular cylinder and $89 for a 100-pound senior cylinder at Antilles Gas. St. Croix Gas listed $22 for a 20-pound cylinder, $89 for a 100-pound regular cylinder and $85 for a 100-pound senior cylinder.
On St. Thomas, DLCA reported an average self-service price of $5.340 per gallon for regular fuel, $5.795 for premium and $7.009 for diesel. The agency’s written summary listed the lowest regular price as $4.699 per gallon at Racetrack, the lowest premium price as $5.199 per gallon at Racetrack and Racetrack East, and the lowest diesel price as $5.799 per gallon at Racetrack East.
The accompanying St. Thomas graphic identified the lowest self-service regular price as $4.999 at Hometown, the lowest premium price as $5.529 at Puma in Smith Bay, and the lowest diesel price as $6.299 at Petrus Gas in Barbel Plaza. The station table listed average St. Thomas prices at $5.795 for premium, $5.340 for regular and $7.009 for diesel, with minimums of $5.259 for premium, $4.999 for regular and $6.299 for diesel. Maximums were listed at $6.599 for premium, $6.069 for regular and $7.409 for diesel.
St. Thomas marina prices included American Yacht Harbor at $6.20 for premium and $6.70 for diesel, Crown Bay at $5.90 for premium and $6.35 for diesel, Yacht Haven Grand at $6.25 for premium and $6.95 for diesel, and Oasis Cove Marina at $5.59 for premium and $6.99 for diesel. Antilles Gas on St. Thomas listed propane at $23 for a 20-pound cylinder, $90 for a 100-pound regular cylinder and $95 for a 100-pound senior cylinder.
On St. John, the average self-service price was $5.479 per gallon for regular fuel, $5.654 for premium and $6.552 for diesel. The lowest regular price was $5.379 per gallon at RaceTrack Gas Station, which also had the lowest premium price at $5.579 per gallon. The lowest diesel price was $6.479 per gallon at E-C Service Station.
The St. John table listed E-C Service Station at $5.729 for premium, $5.579 for regular and $6.479 for diesel. Racetrack was listed at $5.579 for premium, $5.379 for regular and $6.579 for diesel. Mid Way Gas was listed at $5.599 for full-service premium, $5.399 for full-service regular and $6.599 for diesel. Cruz Bay Dock was listed at $6.979 for premium and $7.709 for diesel.
DLCA’s 30-day retail comparison showed average fuel prices rising across all three islands. On St. Croix, regular fuel increased from $4.388 by $0.074 or 1.68 percent, premium rose from $4.731 by $0.167 or 3.53 percent, and diesel increased from $5.185 by $0.266 or 5.13 percent.
On St. Thomas, regular fuel increased from $5.091 by $0.249 or 4.89 percent, premium rose from $5.602 by $0.193 or 3.45 percent, and diesel increased from $6.389 by $0.620 or 9.70 percent. On St. John, regular fuel rose from $5.164 by $0.315 or 6.10 percent, premium increased from $5.314 by $0.340 or 6.40 percent, and diesel rose from $6.162 by $0.390 or 6.33 percent.
DLCA also reminded fuel station owners of their obligations under Virgin Islands law. The agency said it is unlawful for any person to offer to sell or dispense motor fuel into vehicle fuel supply tanks unless the minimum octane rating, retail price per gallon and separately stated tax per gallon are continuously and publicly posted and displayed on or near each pump or dispensing device, as required by 12A V.I.C. § 202.
The department further reminded gasoline station and fuel retailers that under 12A V.I.C. § 207, all gas stations are required to provide a functioning air hose for public use during normal business hours. Failure to comply with that requirement could result in a fine not to exceed $100 for each offense.
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