The petroleum products tanker Vedrey Tora is eased from her berth at Sampson’s by the pilot boat. Vedrey Tora and Vedrey Thor have been acquired by the States to secure fuel deliveries after the ships’ owner went into administration. (Picture by Tony Rive, 0693398)

GUERNSEY looks set to own two fuel tankers for at least the next five to 10 years, a senior civil servant has said.

Responding to questions about the planned timescale for retaining the Vedrey Tora and Vedrey Thor, which were bought by government to ensure the island’s future supplies, deputy chief executive of the States Nigel Lewis said they would be taxpayer-owned for as long as necessary.

‘I would be very surprised if we did not have these ships in five to 10 years’ time,’ he said. ‘We will own them for as long as we need to, for as long as it is in the island’s best interests.’

The States bought the vessels, two of only seven tankers worldwide capable of berthing in St Sampson’s, after the company that owned them went into administration.

The news caused fear that any potential new owner might remove them from servicing Guernsey – cutting off the island’s fuel supply. In an unprecedented move, the Policy Council decided to act without prior States approval to buy the vessels.

Mr Lewis said that other options might become available in the future, such as developing a deep-water berth similar to Jersey’s, which the island could decide to look at.