'We need to be resilient as fuel prices surge'
BBCManx residents are being urged to "stay calm" and "act responsibly" following fuel price surges and recent forecourt shortages.
Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said the Isle of Man's fuel supply chain remained "stable and resilient", attributing recent empty pumps to weather delays rather than a fundamental lack of fuel.
Diesel prices jumped by about 50p a litre this week as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
After many forecourts ran dry last weekend, Cannan said it was down to a "slight weather delay" and "we didn't completely exhaust our supply on the island".
High winds prevented a tanker from docking at Peel, forcing it to sit offshore for several days, he said.
Cannan confirmed that the island had since been restocked and the next delivery was expected on schedule in approximately 30 days.
'Tough it out'
Currently the government is not imposing regulated purchasing, but the chief minister warned "proper regulated purchasing" could be enacted where necessary to protect essential services.
He said recent price hikes had been a "shock to the system", particularly for those relying on home heating oil, and he offered a message of cautious endurance.
"There is a need for some resilience in the community at the moment... we almost need to, to some degree, tough it out," he said.
The chief minister acknowledged the "great deal of uncertainty" caused by global events, including the war in the Middle East and shifting political landscapes in the US.
And he said an industry liaison group had been formed to gather data on how price hikes are affecting local businesses.
While the government was reviewing its "robust contingency plans," Cannan stressed the importance of "financial responsibility", and said there would be "no knee-jerk reactions" when using public funds.
He encouraged people with home heating oil to "schedule their deliveries" and potentially order smaller amounts while prices are at their peak.
The Treasury Minister is set to deliver a statement in April's Tynwald sitting on any potential financial support for those most exposed to rising costs.
Where does the island get its fuel?
The chief minister explained that the island's fuel supply comes from the Shell Stanlow Refinery, where ships collect stocks.
These then arrive on the island via two docks, one in Douglas, and another in Peel, and are ordered about 30 days in advance.
Fuel pricing was based on a "number of days average" from when it leaves the refinery to when it arrives, meaning the price at the pump usually remains stable for that 30 day period, he explained.
Cannan wanted to reassure people that the current supply chain "is resilient" and the "fuel is coming in as expected".
He added that should there be any concern, "then we would bring in contingency plans to ensure that the island ran smoothly and had the necessary fuel to deliver the essential services".
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