Castrol BP Petco was Vietnam’s largest base oils importer in March for the third time in four months, after its imports slumped in February.

The joint venture between BP and Vietnam Petroleum Corp accounted for more than 21pc of the country’s base oils imports in March, provisional customs data showed.

The share was up from less than 8pc the previous month, when it was the fifth-largest importer.

Vietnam’s base oils imports of almost 18,000t in March were the highest in four months.

Chevron Lubricants Vietnam was the country’s second-largest base oils importer in March with share of little more than 20pc of the total.

It had been the country’s largest importer in February.

Its share of more than 16pc of total imports in the first three months of the year was up from less than 11pc in 2022.

Idemitsu Lube Vietnam was the country’s third-largest importer. Petrolimex Petrochemical was the fourth-largest, and Vietnam Lubricants and Chemicals (Vilube) the fifth-largest.