JET FUEL SHORTAGE RESOLVED: Barbara Creecy Announces Logistics Plan For OR Tambo

According to a statement from the Transport Department on Sunday, the shortage of jet fuel for refuelling airlines at ORTIA has now been resolved.

The Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, along with key stakeholders in the fuels industry, has successfully implemented a logistics plan to ensure a stable supply of jet fuel for OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA). The collaboration includes SASOL and the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa.

According to a statement from the Transport Department on Sunday, the shortage of jet fuel for refuelling airlines at ORTIA has now been resolved.

Strategic Plan to Restore Jet Fuel Supply

The logistics plan, developed by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), was formally adopted in a high-level meeting chaired by Minister Creecy on Friday, 31 January. The meeting addressed immediate concerns over the supply chain and sought to implement sustainable solutions.

As of 1 February, ORTIA had an opening stock of 20.1 million litres of jet fuel. To further bolster supply, an additional 59 million litres of jet fuel have been injected into the pipeline over the past week, with an expected arrival at ORTIA by 6 February. This significant increase in fuel stock may lead to the lifting of current airline restrictions and a return to normal operational levels.

Additional Fuel Imports to Ensure Stability

To secure long-term stability, the department confirmed that a total of 71.5 million litres of jet fuel will be imported via three vessels arriving in Durban on 5 and 10 February, respectively. The imported fuel will then be transported to ORTIA through a dedicated pipeline.

With these measures in place, the total available stock of jet fuel for February is projected to reach 150.6 million litres.

Collaborative Efforts to Ensure Airline Stability

In an effort to prevent future shortages, the fuel industry has agreed to establish a mechanism that allows for shared fuel distribution among contracted airlines. This means that if an airline's designated supplier runs short on fuel, it will have access to fuel from a non-contracted supplier, ensuring uninterrupted operations.

Minister Creecy has praised the efforts of all stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and proactive planning in mitigating supply chain disruptions. She extended her gratitude to airline partners, industry stakeholders, and the public for their patience and understanding during this period.

With this new plan in effect, the Transport Department remains committed to monitoring the supply chain and ensuring ORTIA's fuel logistics remain stable and efficient moving forward.