Due to the strike at TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil, many service stations are dry in France. The Hauts-de-France region is the most affected. What to fear gasoline shortages also in Belgium?
In France, a strike movement in several refineries and fuel depots initiated about ten days ago was renewed at TotalEnergies and Esso-ExxonMobil, said the CGT interviewed by AFP. The employees claim a 10% salary increase. As a result, the group’s largest refinery, based in Normandy, that of Feyzin (Rhône), the “bio-refinery” of La Mède (Bouches-du-Rhône) and the Flanders fuel depot near Dunkirk (North) are “always completely shut down“, he indicated. This strike generates fuel supply difficulties in 29.7% of the country’s service stationsaccording to government figures.
Of long queues have been forming for a few days in service stations, by motorists in search of black gold. The situation is so critical in Hauts de France and Ile de France that many motorists come to get their supplies in Belgium. The stations located not far from the border are, so to speak, taken by storm, even if the bill is more salty by 10 to 20 centimes per litre. Demand at cross-border petrol pumps with France would have increased by 15 to 20% in recent days, without however creating supply problems in Belgium, according to Belga.
“We had anticipated our deliveries”
The actions carried out this weekend and the French strikes have not no impact, for the moment, on distribution in Belgium. “We are not supplied by French refineries, explains to Belga Tom Claerbout, spokesperson for TotalEnergies Belgium. “In fact, it actually goes quite the other way, since we send fuel to the pumps located in the north of France.“Same story from the side of Olivier Neirynck, technical director of Brafco, the federation of fuel and fuel traders.
“We actually anticipated it to deal with the strike but also with the blocking of the TotalEnergies depot in Feluy“, explains Olivier Neirynck. “Inventories have been built up. As long as the social conflict continues in France, we are ready.”
This Monday, there was no improvement in sight in the showdown between the unions and the management of TotalEnergies and Esso-ExxonMobil. The strike continues. Refueling in France and in the border regions is therefore still likely to be complicated at the start of the week. French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne promised an improvement in the situation by the end of this week.
In France, a strike movement in several refineries and fuel depots initiated ten days ago was renewed at TotalEnergies and Esso-ExxonMobil, indicated the CGT questioned by AFP. Employees are demanding a 10% wage increase. As a result, the group’s largest refinery, based in Normandy, that of Feyzin (Rhône), the “bio-refinery” of La Mède (Bouches-du-Rhône) and the Flanders fuel depot near Dunkirk (North) are “still completely at a standstill”, he said. This strike is causing fuel supply difficulties in 29.7% of service stations in the country, according to government figures. Long queues have been forming for a few days at service stations, by motorists looking for black gold. The situation is so critical in Hauts de France and Ile de France that many motorists come to get their supplies in Belgium. The stations located not far from the border are, so to speak, taken by storm, even if the bill is more salty by 10 to 20 centimes per litre. Demand at cross-border petrol pumps with France has increased by 15 to 20% in recent days, without however creating supply problems in Belgium, according to Belga. The actions carried out this weekend and the French strikes have not impact, for the time being, on distribution in Belgium. “We are not supplied by French refineries, explains to Belga Tom Claerbout, spokesperson for TotalEnergies Belgium. France.” Same story from the side of Olivier Neirynck, technical director of Brafco, the federation of fuel and fuel traders. “We actually anticipated it to deal with the strike but also the blocking of the TotalEnergies in Feluy,” explains Olivier Neirynck. “Stocks have been built up. As long as the social conflict continues in France, we are ready.” On Monday, there was no improvement in sight in the showdown between the unions and the management of TotalEnergies and Esso-ExxonMobil. The strike continues. Refueling in France and in the border regions may therefore still be complicated at the start of the week. French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has promised an improvement in the situation by the end of this week.
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