Fuel shortages are affecting the remote northwestern regions of Madagascar, including the tourist island of Nosy Be, the city of Majunga (Mahajanga), and Ambanja, following an unexpected 30% surge in consumption in March that depleted unleaded petrol stocks and forced operators to impose rationing. In Majunga on Monday, tuk-tuks queued for hours at petrol stations only to leave empty-handed, with some drivers resorting to black-market fuel at double the official price, while boat services between islands in the Nosy Be archipelago were largely suspended. Authorities say the situation is not a full shortage, and relief is expected shortly: one coastal supply vessel is due in Majunga before the end of the week, and a second is scheduled to reach Diego Suarez and Nosy Be between 26 and 29 April.