Leading Grahamstown petrol stations have been hit by rampant fuel shortages.
Pumps at Total, BP and Engen are running dry due to an interrupted supply of fuel from the Port Elizabeth depot currently under major repairs.
Leading Grahamstown petrol stations have been hit by rampant fuel shortages.
Pumps at Total, BP and Engen are running dry due to an interrupted supply of fuel from the Port Elizabeth depot currently under major repairs.
Total Manager Shehnaaz Motara said Thursday 18 December that the problems were caused by unscheduled maintenance in Port Elizabeth.
"The ships delivering fuel are not able to dock at PE harbour because of unexpected maintenance," she said. According to Motara, the harbour had limited reserves of unleaded petrol, but quickly ran out due to a great demand that exceeded the supply.
Motara said the fuel shortage kicked-in on the first week of December. Due to the inconsistencies of fuel transportation from the Port Elizabeth harbour, the stations are quickly running out of fuel for up to three days a week and are forced to turn motorists away.
Meanwhile, supervisor at BP Makana Sophie Nofemene said the staff received news from management that shortages were caused by major cleaning of pipes at the depot.
"We were told that the pipes have rust and are being cleaned," she said.
"We haven't had fuel since Wednesday and we only attend to motorists who need oil, water and air, but we will be back in business tomorrow [Friday]." Nofemene said the East London depot is under serious strain as most stations are now feeding from it.
"They quickly run dry because most stations from the Eastern Cape are all buying from it." Engen management refused to comment.
Meanwhile business has been booming for Shell, which are the only stations with an uninterrupted supply of fuel at present. Supervisor Wandile Maguma said customers from other stations now go to Shell. Maguma said Shell has large reserves of fuel. editor@grocotts.co.za
