BP plc, the UK’s second-largest fuel retailer, said the panic has led to the shutdown of mains grades at about a third of its stations in the country.
The London-based company said in a statement on Sunday, “Most of the 1,200 sites we serve across the UK are in supply and open. However, with the intense demand over the past two days, we estimate that around 30 % Sites This network does not currently contain any of the main grades of fuel.”
A shortage of truck drivers, which had already left British supermarkets unable to fill their shelves, began hitting some fuel stations earlier this week. BP and Exxon Mobil Corp were among companies that said driver shortages affected operations at its gas stations, while Easy Group said it would limit customers to 30 pounds ($41) of fuel.
The crisis has prompted Prime Minister Boris Johnson to heed industry demands to issue visas to foreign truck drivers. The government said late Saturday that it would issue 5,000 short-term visas to drivers and 5,500 to poultry workers. According to estimates by the Road Haulage Association, this is still the country still needs about 100,000 heavy goods drivers.
BP said it is working with its hauler supplier Hoyer to minimize disruption.
Royal Dutch Shell plc said that since Friday it has seen higher-than-normal demand across its network “resulting in some sites running lower at certain grades.”
“We’re usually filling these quickly, within 24 hours,” it added. Any measure that will “help ease the pressure on the fuel supply chain” is welcome.
Don’t miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint.
download
Our App Now!!
.