By Katalina Siasau
A special shipment carrying 50,000 litres of petroleum - enough for one day’s supply on Tongatapu - is expected to arrive in the Port of Nuku’alofa on Wednesday - a day ahead of Thursday’s General Election - and bring relief to a severe shortage of petrol that has fettered the capital for for the last week.
Petroleum supplies throughout Tonga are critically short and thousands of vehicles have spent hours queueing at service stations over the last week in the hope of finding a few litres of rationed supplies of petrol.
The Prime Minister Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke said today that Tongatapu and the outer islands Vava’u and Ha’apai are relying on only 200,000 litres of petrol to cover the country's needs until Thursday 20 November.
During a media briefing today, Monday, PM Eke said that the two main suppliers, TotalEnergies and Pacific Energy, were collaborating on distribution efforts to ease queues at service stations.
The government acknowledged the fuel supply challenges faced over recent days.
"The major reason for the current shortage is that TotalEnergies is fixing two of its petrol storages and is currently sharing its remaining petrol with Pacific Energy’s storage," PM Eke said. It was understood that TotalEnergies would continue to distribute petrol to service stations today.
Pacific Energy’s Country Manager, Paula Taufa told Matangi Tonga last week that their next shipment was delayed until later in the month due to technical problems with their tanker.
Matson Shipping
Meanwhile, a special supply of 50,000 litres of petroleum has been secured via two isotainers on the Olomana vessel, which is expected to arrive in Tonga on Wednesday, 19 November.
This shipment was secured with the support of Matson Shipping’s local agent, Francis Cowley of Cowley & Sons Ltd, with Pacific Energy stepping in as the consignee to facilitate local handling and distribution.
Francis told Matangi Tonga today, "We were simply happy to help where we could, and I'm thankful that we were able to secure some stock at the final hour.”
He said that the Prime Minister and his team, “put in a tremendous amount of work late on Friday and throughout Saturday to explore all alternatives making this possible."
"The ship is ours to pay for as agents. We are not selling the fuel. Together with the PM we organised the stock for Pacific Energy to purchase and distribute, but it was all we could arrange at short notice, as there was no alternative reserves to supplv at the time," he said.
The Ministry for Trade (MTED) stated today: “It is important to note that the 50,000 litres of petroleum will only cater for one day.”
Fuel tanker
MTED Consumer Affairs Division stated that the TotalEnergies Local Coastal Tanker (LCT) was now expected to arrive on Friday 21 November, four days earlier than planned.
Meanwhile, Pacific Energy has confirmed the arrival of its LCT at the end of November.
"With these confirmed schedules from both suppliers, no stock-out [sic] of any fuel grade is expected in Nuku'alofa from 21 November onward," MTED stated.
There is no shortage of diesel supply. “The diesel barge that arrived over the weekend has stabilised diesel availability, ensuring no interruption in diesel supply in Tongatapu.”
Vava’u
Petrol levels in Vava’u remain challenging and based on current projections MTED projected a temporary shortage before the early December shipment arrives.
“Government continues to work closely with suppliers to minimise disruptions and pursue options for earlier delivery where possible.”
MTED said Government and suppliers will review the national fuel forecast early next week and will liaise with Matson Shipping should any bridging shipment be required between the scheduled vessel arrivals.
“TotalEnergies’ next shipment will also carry Pacific Energy’s stock while their vessel is being restored to service.”
The ministry said that Cabinet had endorsed a proposed Fuel Supply Cntract to start negotiations with the two supliers to ensure Tonga’s national energy security.
“National fuel levels, including outer islands, are anticipated to return to normal by early December,” stated MTED.
