Suppliers blamed for
overcommitting
AN UNEXPECTED bunker fuel shortage has caused shipping delays in both Durban and Richards Bay harbours as a result of refinery shutdowns and allegations among bunker officials that some suppliers have been overcommitting themselves in taking orders.
Richards Bay is also out of gas supplies, but all sectors expect to have brought the situation back under control by the beginning of next week.
Vessels that have booked supplies in advance of their arrival in the ports have been serviced, but those who have not ordered in advance have been delayed or have had to continue without supplies.
The Sapref refinery in Durban, which handles Shell and BP requirements, is closed at present for a two-week maintenance overhaul. Calref refinery in Cape Town has been closed for the past month for the same reason.
In Durban we are fully committed to April 9 after which we are hoping to have new supplies available, a Shell spokesperson told FTW this week. But according to Shell the situation was uncertain in Richards Bay where it appeared that one of the other companies had been selling off available stocks.
We have managed to supply vessels in place and our refinery has been supplying the entire bunker requirements right around the coast, said John Boyd, Engen's bunker manager.
The position has been tough but I think it will all return to normal in a few days.
Officials of the southern African branch of the International Bunker Industry Association were sceptical however that the matter would be concluded satisfactorily.
I think someone is going to be asked to pay for the demurrage charges of those vessels which were delayed through this situation, said chairman Ian Grayston.
It looks like some group overcommitted themselves and there was overselling going on.
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