Business · Energy & Commodities · 7 hrs ago
Low Rhine levels disrupt fuel supplies in northeast France
Coopérative U chief Dominique Schelcher warned of fuel supply problems in northeast France.
He said low water levels on the Rhine are disrupting the usual deliveries to several fuel depots.
Some stations may temporarily run out of fuel, while sales have risen since 2 November.
Government figures showed that 19% of stations in the Grand Est region had at least one fuel shortage on Wednesday morning, down from 20% the previous day.
Across France, 10% of stations were classed as having difficulties at that time.
The government released fuel stocks in early November to soften the impact of rising pump prices since the conflict in the Middle East began.
No further release of strategic stocks is currently planned, according to the office of the minister for trade and small businesses.
Low Rhine water levels are disrupting fuel supplies in northeastern France, according to Coopérative U chief executive Dominique Schelcher.
Some fuel depots are out of stock, and some service stations may face temporary shortages.
Fuel sales have accelerated since November 2, while the low river level is preventing usual resupply.
Government figures showed 19% of service stations in Grand Est had at least one fuel supply shortage on Wednesday morning.
The government released fuel stocks in early November, but the minister’s office said further releases were not planned.
- Who
- Coopérative U chief executive Dominique Schelcher warned of supply problems affecting fuel depots and service stations.
- What
- Low Rhine levels are disrupting fuel resupply and causing temporary shortages.
- When
- The warning was made on Wednesday; sales had accelerated since November 2.
- Where
- Northeastern France, including the Grand Est region.
- Why
- Low Rhine levels are preventing usual resupply, while fuel sales have accelerated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fuel sales began accelerating, according to Schelcher.
The government released fuel stocks for service stations.
Trade Minister Serge Papin said the released stocks were renewable, before his office later qualified his remarks.
Schelcher warned that low Rhine levels were disrupting fuel supplies, and government figures showed shortages at some stations.
- Affected area
- Northeastern France
- Grand Est stations with at least one fuel shortage
- 19% on Wednesday at 9 a.m.
- Stations with supply difficulties nationwide
- 10% on Wednesday at 9 a.m.
- Sales acceleration began
- November 2
- Government fuel-stock release
- Early November
What people are saying
Several fuel depots are out of stock. The low level of the Rhine is preventing usual resupply, while sales have accelerated since November 2. Some service stations may face temporary shortages.
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La situation de l'approvisionnement en carburant se tend dans le quart Nord-est de la France. Plusieurs dépôts pétroliers sont en rupture. Le niveau bas du Rhin ne permet pas le réapprovisionnement habituel alors que les ventes ont accéléré depuis le 2 novembre. Certaines