New measures announced to ease fuel supply chain pressures

The UK government has announced measures to help further ease supply chain pressures and spikes in localised demand for fuel.

Motorists across the UK began panic-buying fuel last week after BP and Esso warned that some of its stations were experiencing a shortage of petrol and diesel as a shortage of HGV drivers has impacted their supply chains.

However, the UK government has reassured drivers that there isn’t a shortage of fuel and the fuel industry expects demand to return to ‘normal levels’ in the coming days.

Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association, which represents the interests of independent forecourts across the UK and works with the majority of motorway service areas, said: “There are early signs that the crisis at pumps is ending, with more of our members reporting that they are now taking further deliveries of fuel. 

“Fuel stocks remain normal at refineries and terminals, although deliveries have been reduced.”

Approval has been given to put the British Army on standby and extend specific HGV licences.

British Army tanker drivers will be brought to a state of readiness in order to be deployed if required to deliver fuel to where it is needed most and providing further reassurance that fuel supplies remain strong.

The Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) request was issued by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng on Monday.

Mr Karteng said: “While the fuel industry expects demand will return to its normal levels in the coming days, it’s right that we take this sensible, precautionary step.

“The UK continues to have strong supplies of fuel, however we are aware of supply chain issues at fuel station forecourts and are taking steps to ease these as a matter of priority.

“If required, the deployment of military personnel will provide the supply chain with additional capacity as a temporary measure to help ease pressures caused by spikes in localised demand for fuel.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has authorised an extension to ADR driver licences, which allow drivers to transport goods, such as fuel.

The measure will apply to licences expiring between 27 September 2021 and 31 December 2021, and extend their validity until 31 January 2022. This will provide immediate relief to the shortage of fuel drivers by permitting affected drivers to maximise their available capacity instead of being taken out of circulation for refresher training purposes.

Mr Shapps said: “We are starting to see panic buying moderate – with more grades of fuel now available at more petrol stations. People have been responding to the message to only fill up when they actually need fuel and in any case their cars are now fuller.

“Even though the current network of tanker drivers is capable of delivering all the fuel we need – we have taken the additional step of asking the army to help plug the gap, whilst new HGV drivers come on stream thanks to all the other measures we’ve already taken.

“Extending ADR licences will further help ease any pressures on fuel drivers by removing the need for refresher training courses and ensuring they can keep providing their vital service on our roads.”

The announcement follows a joint statement issued by the fuel industry confirming that fuel supplies at UK refineries and terminals remain high as well as encouraging the public to continue to purchase fuel as normal. Signatories include:

• BP
• Shell
• Esso Petroleum / ExxonMobil
• Wincanton
• Certas Energy UK
• Hoyer Petrolog UK
• Greenergy
• Fuels Transport & Logistics
• Downstream Fuel
• Suckling Transport