The Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) has sufficient reserves to ensure the continuity of jet fuel availability at OR Tambo International Airport, the airports operator said on Sunday.
“Acsa is happy to indicate that it has reserves to ensure the continuity of jet fuel availability at OR Tambo for up to eight days up to January 20,” the operator said in a statement.
This assurance comes after the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa (Fiasa) informed Acsa that the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (Natref) was implementing risk mitigation measures to prevent the disruption of the supply of jet fuel to the airport following a fire at their refinery on January 4.
The refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), which was damaged by the fire, is expected to be back online by February 21.
The airports company said it was collaborating with Fiasa and Natref to implement risk mitigation measures to ensure continued operations at the airport. These include scheduled fuel deliveries, including the delivery of 17 000m³ of jet fuel to the airport on Sunday.
Acsa added that a planned pipeline injection of 31 000m³ from Durban was set for January 14, with delivery to OR Tambo expected by January 27.
Other measures include:
• Increased rail deliveries: Rail deliveries from Durban and Matola (Mozambique) are being prioritised with additional available capacity.
• Alternative fuel sourcing: Sourcing fuel from other airports and direct injections to Natref.
“Immediate intervention and risk mitigation measures are required to address the anticipated jet fuel shortage at Ortia between January 20 and the expected delivery date of January 27,” Acsa said.
“The Fuel Industry Association of Southern Africa and Natref are collaborating with industry partners, including Acsa, to develop solutions by Tuesday, January 14. The primary focus is to ensure the continuous availability of jet fuel at Ortia.”
The airports company assured airlines, passengers and all stakeholders that all necessary steps were being taken to maintain normal airport operations and guarantee a secure and uninterrupted fuel supply. - SAnews.gov.za
