Shell Company of Thailand (Shell) was Thailand’s largest lubricants supplier in March for the first time in three months as it boosted sharply its share of heavy-duty engine oils and industrial oils sales.

Thailand’s lube demand rose to a one-year high of 48,390 kilolitres (42,860t) in March on a seasonal surge in consumption.

Shell accounted for almost 31pc of the volume, up from less than 27pc the previous month, government data showed.

PTT Oil and Retail (PTT) was the country’s second-largest lube supplier in March with a share of more than 30pc of the total. The share fell from more than 35pc the previous month.

PSP Specialties was Thailand’s third-largest lube supplier in March. Bangchak was the fourth-largest and Esso Thailand the fifth-largest.