The jet fuel situation in Europe is more critical than previously reported. Kerosene is expected to run out between the second and third week of May, including the last sea cargoes arriving from the Persian Gulf.

Meanwhile, the continent’s strategic reserves are at risk of being insufficient to guarantee peak summer flights in some areas. Only two states appear to have emergency kerosene for ninety days, while most would not survive a crisis longer than thirty days.

In fact, some states only have eight to ten days of autonomy before running out. This is what Corriere della Sera has learned from three sources with knowledge of the situation. It is such a delicate matter that officially everyone is silent.

In Brussels they hope that the ceasefire between the US and Iran will hold, in order to allow the resumption of the movement of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

“The risk of a shortage of kerosene in Europe has gone from virtual to real in a few days” – explains one of the sources. Corriere has seen communications between fuel suppliers and airlines.

In some airports there is talk of the maximum amount that can be taken on board (5 thousand kilograms) per aircraft or of the impossibility of supplying private jets, to give priority to scheduled flights.

Europe imports from the Persian Gulf 43 percent of its annual aviation fuel needs. With tankers blocked in the area, the continent is suffering a drastic drop in available volumes in the run-up to peak traffic.

In addition, refining activity at European plants is already at its peak. So there is physically no possibility to add production quotas during the summer, all three sources confirm. Thus, the month of May turns into a decisive period.

If no more ships arrive from the Persian Gulf, the withdrawal from the strategic reserves may begin first and then stop the supply of kerosene to the airports of some countries.

According to the sources, the countries with only a few days of reserves are mainly those of Eastern Europe, but also some small countries in the western part of the continent.

From what is learned, Italy has reserves for thirty up to sixty days. In recent meetings with EU officials, the owners of oil tankers have made it known that it is not enough to reopen Hormuz in a sustainable manner, but also to reduce the cost of securing the ships.

As the Middle East is currently unable to supply Europe with kerosene and while Asia keeps the production to itself – despite the giant refining capacities – the only alternative for the Old Continent remains the States of United.

“But it should be seen at what price and under what conditions” – underline the sources. In the coming days, Brussels will try to collect updated figures on the real amount of fuel.

“Europe should think of a plan that protects mitigation measures and that is clear about how kerosene should be divided between countries” – the sources conclude. /tesheshi.com/ 

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Source: prizrenpost