DUSHANBE, January 3, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- Uzbekistan has reportedly introduced ban on transit truck transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) via its territory.

According to Uzbek government’s decree, the ban on transit truck transport of LNG took effect on January 1, 2013.

This decision has reportedly been made in order to ensure national security, maintain public order and protect the environment and public health.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and the Uzbek Agency for Automobile and River Transport are to inform consigners of the ban.

In case of illegal transportation of LNG via Uzbekistan’s customs territory, Uzbekistan’s State Customs Committee and Ministry of Interior will take measures to confiscate the product, the decree says.

Meanwhile, some 40 percent of vehicles in Tajikistan, primarily in the northern Sughd province, run on liquefied natural gas.  Kazakhstan now provides the bulk of Tajikistan’s liquefied natural gas imports.

Over the last year, the number of liquefied natural gas (LNG) refueling stations in the country has reportedly been increased from 510 to 526.  Sughd province alone now has 230 LNG refueling stations.

The main suppliers of liquefied gas to Tajikistan are Zet Gaz, Muhammad Poulod (Sughd province), Gazpormneft-Tajikistan, Faroz, and Tojiron.