Cars line at a gasoline station as they wait to fuel up, in Manaus, Brazil May 24, 2018. REUTERS/Adriano Machado

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - South America's biggest city and main business hub declared a state of emergency on Friday, suspending non-essential administrative services to save fuel amid a trucking protest that has blockaded major Brazilian highways for five days.

In a statement, City Hall said the state of emergency would allow it to seize private goods such as fuel stored at a gas station and make purchases without going through standard budgeting and bidding procedures.

(Reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr.)