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Should drivers fill up now? What the Iran conflict means for fuel prices in Spain
Brent crude has already surged by more than 7% and experts say the impact could start showing at Spanish petrol stations within two weeks
With the conflict escalating in Iran and oil markets reacting sharply, a lot of drivers in Spain are asking the same question right now: should I fill up before prices go up?
Brent crude, the European benchmark for oil pricing, has already surged by more than 7%, hitting peaks of over 10% and pushing close to $80 a barrel amid growing fears over a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Fuel prices in Spain have already risen by around five cents per litre so far this year, tracking a rise in oil prices that had accumulated nearly 19% since January 1. If the upward trend continues, the OCU, Spain's main consumer watchdog, estimates that pump prices could climb by a further eight to ten cents per litre in the coming weeks.
The reason drivers haven't felt the full impact yet is that the fuel on sale today was bought in advance by the filling stations, and the final price at the pump depends on a range of factors beyond just the crude oil price, including wholesale fuel prices across European markets, logistical costs and taxes.
That process means it can take up to two weeks for a rise in oil prices to show up at the forecourt.
Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo confirmed that the government is keeping a close eye on price movements to guard against any speculative activity, although he cautioned that it's still too early to gauge the true scale of the impact.
The good news, if you can call it that, is that only 5% of Spain's oil imports and 2% of its gas imports actually pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which may limit the direct impact on Spanish pockets somewhat.
For a really significant hit to consumers' wallets, analysts say Brent crude would need to rise by a further $15 to $20 per barrel from its current level, which closed on Friday at $72.48.
However, the situation took a sharply political turn on Wednesday when US President Donald Trump threatened to cut off all trade with Spain following the Spanish government's refusal to allow the United States to use the jointly operated Rota and Morón air bases for operations linked to the conflict with Iran.
Trump called Spain "a terrible partner" within NATO and said he had personally instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to act.
"We're going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don't want anything to do with Spain," Trump said at a White House meeting.
Whether that threat translates into anything concrete remains to be seen, but combined with rising oil prices and an increasingly volatile situation in the Middle East, the outlook for Spanish fuel prices is looking considerably less certain than it did just a few weeks ago.
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Address
Bases in the UK and Murcia. Covering all of Spain and the UK.Tel: 0044 7709 557 109
Mobile: 0034 608 061 872
Mobile: 0034 608 061 872
Lords transport full or part loads from anywhere in the UK to anywhere in Spain
Lords Removals is a UK-registered international removals and storage company specializing in routes between Spain and the UK, with special relevance to customers looking to transport their household furniture to the Costa Blanca and the Costa Cálida from Great Britain.
With offices and storage facilities in England and the Region of Murcia ( Costa Cálida), Lords removals is ideally placed for transport to and from the south-east of Spain, offering a highly efficient service tailored to suit the individual requirements of customers in Murcia, Alicante, Almería and Valencia, and all amounts of furniture from single items to full loads can be arranged throughout Spain.
The advantage of transporting a full load is that a vehicle is allocated only to one customer’s requirements, whether the journey is from the UK to Murcia or vice versa. This allows a specific delivery date to be agreed 
in advance, whereas if a vehicle is shared with other customers a wider delivery window period is specified.
The actual delivery date is then confirmed a few days in advance so that arrangements can be made, and this service works out as more cost-effective and is preferred by many customers, especially those transporting single items or part loads.
Both domestic and commercial moves between the Costa Cálida, Costa Blanca or any of the other Spanish costas and the UK are catered for, and Lords removals have years of experience in the special needs for transporting such diverse items as motorcycles, fragile goods and household appliances.
To make life easier Lords provide an online calculator which will provide you with an estimate of how much 
your move will cost, reaching an estimate of how many cubic metres your shipment will occupy and the approximate associated costs. Items can vary in size, of course, but the estimate will supply a ballpark figure to work with before making the move from the UK to Spain or in the other direction.
In order to make moving house as stress-free as possible, Lords also offer a fully professional packing service. Customers can of course opt to pack their own items, and Lords will provide materials if required, but you need to be aware that most insurance companies will not provide cover for objects not packed by the removals firm.
During their years of providing transport between Murcia and the UK the Lords staff have gained experience in packing all kinds of items, including antiques, fine arts, polished furniture, and fragile and delicate items, so for peace of mind the recommendation is to leave the job in the hands of the professionals.
Worldwide shipping and expert packing services
In addition to their regular weekly trips between Spain and the UK, Lords Removals now offers worldwide shipping that’s fast, efficient and reliable. Their team can accommodate short-notice enquiries and ensure your items are shipped promptly, wherever they need to go.
With an extensive fleet of vehicles, from small vans to HGVs with articulated trailers, they can handle loads of any size. Whether it’s a single item or a full household move, Lords Removals has the resources and experience to get it safely from door to door.
And for those looking for the highest level of service, Lords Removals also offers premium package options. Clients can contact them directly to discuss the different packing and removal services available, each designed to offer extra peace of mind during what can be a stressful time.
Not only that, but they can also help advise and organise pet travel and vehicle transportation to and from Spain. Just ask them about their competitive rates and expertise today to get started!
Storage
Apart from their competitively priced and fully professional removals service, Lords also provide storage at their 
secure, clean and dry premises in Alhama de Murcia, within easy reach of the whole of the Region of Murcia and the Costa Cálida area. The storage facility is fully enclosed, secure and is located on a privately owned industrial estate.
The storage service is available to anyone, not only customers who also contract moving or removals with Lords, so if you have storage needs for whatever reason you can contact them.
Stored items are palleted and/or placed in large storage containers, and are wrapped in protective materials as and when required. The premises are covered by 24-hour security and surveillance, and full insurance is in place for fire and theft, taking away the worry of leaving your private possessions in the care of others: the company can also pick up and deliver stored items, and a full packing service is also offered throughout the Region of Murcia and south-eastern Spain.
The storage service offered by Lords is priced competitively based on the number of cubic metres your possessions occupy, with standard pick-up and packing charges added when appropriate. Insurance costs are included in the quoted price, and for large volumes discount rates can be applied.
For more information regarding the storage of furniture and household goods, don’t hesitate to call +34 608 061872 (Spain) or +44 7709 557109 (UK), or use the online enquiry form.
