Despite securing millions of litres of jet fuel for OR Tambo International Airport (JNB), Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has raised concerns that logistical challenges could continue to disrupt the fuel supply for airlines in the short term. This warning comes after a significant setback caused by a fire at Natref, which supplies 72% of JNB’s jet fuel. The fire, which occurred on January 4, led to a forced shutdown, exacerbating fuel supply issues for the airport.
As of January 28, Acsa reported that JNB had a remaining 29.7 million litres of jet fuel, equating to just over 11 days of stock. Terence Delomoney, Acsa’s Group Executive for Operations, assured that this reserve would sustain the airport until an additional 121 million litres of fuel arrived. However, Acsa has acknowledged that there are still significant hurdles to overcome in ensuring that the fuel reaches Johannesburg on time.
While the imported fuel has already arrived in South Africa, there are substantial delays in transporting it from the Port of Durban to JNB. According to Delomoney, this process takes between seven and ten days. The transportation relies heavily on Transnet’s pipeline, which is responsible for transporting not only jet fuel but also diesel, petrol, and other chemicals. As such, any mismanagement in scheduling could delay the delivery of jet fuel to JNB. Additionally, rail infrastructure must be maintained to ensure that fuel shipments arrive as needed.
Despite these challenges, Acsa has reassured the public that they are doing everything possible to address the situation. The company has also made a formal request to various stakeholders, including the Fuels Industry Association and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, to collaborate and share stock if available. Acsa’s goal is to prevent any further fuel shortages that could disrupt airline operations.
However, uncertainty surrounding the repair timeline of the Natref facility adds an element of unpredictability. Aaron Munetsi, CEO of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (Aasa), expressed concern over the lack of progress reports regarding the repairs. Despite previous assurances that the repairs would be completed by February, no updates had been provided at the time of the latest statements. Munetsi added that while Acsa had secured enough fuel to cover operations until February 2, Aasa remained cautious due to the fact that Acsa does not own or procure the fuel itself.
Beyond the immediate crisis, Aasa has highlighted long-term concerns regarding jet fuel supply. The organization pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic had led to a conservative approach in fuel inventory management, which has caused the average fuel reserves at JNB to drop significantly. The reserves, which previously covered an average of 11 days, have now been reduced to around four days. This has made it even more difficult for airlines to rely on a stable and predictable fuel supply.
Additionally, the Notam (Notice to Airmen) imposing fuel uplift restrictions at OR Tambo International remains in place until February 25, unless withdrawn earlier. This restriction, which includes a ban on tankering fuel (carrying excess fuel for future use), underscores the ongoing uncertainty regarding fuel availability and the inability of both fuel suppliers and Acsa to guarantee sufficient volumes for all airlines.
In conclusion, while Acsa has taken significant steps to secure additional fuel and address the supply chain issues, the situation remains fragile. With logistical challenges still present and long-term inventory concerns persisting, the aviation industry will need to carefully monitor fuel availability to avoid any disruptions to operations.
