States buys fuel ships
Saturday 20th December 2008, 9:30AM GMT.
The Vedrey Tora, one of two tankers bought by the States in a move which Chief Minister Lyndon Trott said was necessary to protect the island’s supplies. (Picture by Tony Rive, 0530348)
GUERNSEY has bought two fuel-carrying vessels to ensure the island’s supplies.
They are two of only seven worldwide capable of entering St Sampson’s Harbour.
No cost was given when Chief Minister Lyndon Trott briefed the media yesterday, but they were worth between €14m. and €16m. each when launched a year ago.
The unprecedented purchase comes after Swedish firm Svithoid Tankers, which owned the vessels, went into administration in November.
One of them, the Vedrey Tora, is currently the only ship bringing fuel to the island so the Policy Council acted to avoid the possibility that any potential buyer of it or sister ship Vedrey Thor could move them to other destinations.
The vessels will be owned by the taxpayer and managed by a new company set up by the States. It will hold the assets on behalf of the island.
- Read Deputy Trott’s full statement here.
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To comment on the above we were being well served by one ship!
However our unelected CM wished to go one further and buy two.
Why exactly?
Ships rust and deteriorate. They are very expensive to maintain so must be able to prove their value.
I would like him to explain not just to me but to all taxpayers. Also to the future taxpayers that are going to have to shoulder the burden of our could not care less elected/unelected.
Choose whatever you wish.
It amounts to the same at the end of the day!
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It’s all got to do with redundancy. If the first ship is hijacked by Somali pirates, we still have another – see?
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Paul
If it means that I have fuel being delivered to Guernsey for the islands residents, then I am more than happy to pay my share.
We have elected this current states to do what they believe are in the best interests of the islanders and the population, just let them get on with it…
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One really has to question the basic intelligence of the critics of the decision to guarantee future suplies of petroleum products for our island by purchasing two vessels.
Read the draft of the Chief Minister’s speech.
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To me it looks like the states are being pro-active for once. Should safeguard the fuel situation for the future. Perhaps when the ships are not in use then the States could do a line of mini cruises round the islands!
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I wasn’t aware of anything being wrong with our current situation :S Doesn’t he have to like… ask someone before doing this?
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Deputy Trott said this incident has been a serious “wake up call” shame the States were not awake several years ago when they were told that the vessels delivering the fuel to the Island were coming to the end of their life and in future the building of single skin shallow draft vessels were no longer an option.At this time there was talk of a deep water berth but alas it was just talk.
All take note whether you like it or not we are a power hungry Island with an infastucture that demands the burning of fossil fuels. I would like to support and offer my thanks to all of those that have reacted accordingly and look forward to seeing action instead of just talk in the future from our States members.
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I dont wish to sound like a hippie but we should be concentrating on wind/wave/geothermal and solar. We really need to be self sufficient if the doo doo really hits.
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Seems reasonably sensible to me. Unfortunate to have a gun at our head, but sensible nevertheless. As has been said previously, we are an oil hungry island, the sooner we convert to electricity and, wher possible, renewables the better for all of us.
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Paul, your rabid hate for the CM is becoming tiresome. The CM is the voice only, this was a joint departmental decision which included C&E nd Treasury. Lyndon only spoke the decision.
Get over yourself man.
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I think that the Policy Council have acted in the best interests of the island in this case. Just imagine the chaos if these boats had left our shores. We are now guaranteed fuel which is a life line this island cannot afford to lose.
Well Done Policy Council.
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With an estimated combined purchase price of 32 million euros, not including other costs, could they not have organised a more up-to-date berth for less money? After all, the shipping game (how I make my living) is feeling the pinch just like many industries – not neccessarily the best time to be investing in TWO vessels. It’s been a while since I was in Guernsey, but from memory it would seem a little dredging and civil engineering could provide a suitable place to tie up out further toward that large land reclamation that was done so long ago. Piplines could be used to connect to exhisting infrastructure.
Where do vessels carrying heavy fuel oil for the power station berth? What arrangements does Jersey have, given that their main harbour completely dries out?
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Does seem a sensible move – with decent management it should make a few bob. I like the idea of selling oil to Jersey!
A much more sensible purchase that Aurigny.
Next on the shopping list is perhaps Condor…make a profit on all these ventures then we might be able to afford a new runway.
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Jackie
My reply to you is;
The Jeremy Kyle or Jerry Springer shows are a much better forum for the likes of you to air your views!
Take any mates with you cos they don’t share views with the masses!
I’ll keep my eye on the telly and look out for you.
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Good decision I feel, if there had been more discussion, or if the problem had been disclosed to the public, a panic buying frenzy would have happened and we would have had no fuel.
Makes sense.
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Dave We have know added two tankers, to the airline that we own,this is grarantored for 40 million.The tankers and the holding company, could cost another 40 million.
Why not buy condor and two oil wells, to make a set.
Why did we not ask Jersey, Isle of White and Shetland Isles, to come in with us.
The Fuel companys, as well where not interested in buying the tankers, hope this is managed better than all the overspends.
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