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Fuel to be shipped into Scotland Strike at oil refinery to start
(about 3 hours later)
Additional imports of fuel from Europe will be shipped into Scotland so the country stays on the move through the on-going Grangemouth dispute. The strike at Grangemouth oil refinery is due to start at 0600 BST, with 1,200 staff walking out in a pensions row.
The Scottish Government made the announcement hours before 1,200 staff are due to walk out at 0600 BST. Production has already ceased at the plant - Scotland's only oil refinery - ahead of the strike. BP is also shutting its key Forties oil pipeline.
The Unite union said it was taking the two-day industrial action in protest at planned changes to the staff pension scheme by plant owners Ineos. There has already been disruption at some petrol stations, but ministers say there is enough fuel to go round. Extra supplies are being shipped from Europe.
During the shutdown, oil production will cease at the plant. Industry body Oil and Gas UK says the strike could cost the UK £50m a day.
Unite officials agreed 150 unpaid staff could remain at the complex overseeing safety during the strike. 'Ready' for talks
Talks involving the union and plant managers took place at conciliation service Acas earlier in the week. However, they broke up without agreement. Talks at conciliation service Acas have previously broken up without agreement, and a spokeswoman for the Unite union confirmed the strike was going ahead as planned. EXTRA FUEL SUPPLIES 5,700 tonnes of diesel and kerosene on the Antares from Teesport10,000 tonnes of diesel on the BIT Octania from Gothenburg12-14,000 tonnes of diesel on the Alsterstern from Amsterdam1,850 tonnes of motorspirit on the Audacity from Immingham14,000 tonnes of diesel on the Anefani from Rotterdam4,000 tonnes of diesel and kerosene on the Humber Fisher from Teesport14,000 tonnes of diesel on the Bro Developer from Rotterdam
The strike will also result in the closure of the BP Forties pipeline, which provides 30% of the UK's daily oil output from the north sea. "We understand the membership is standing strong, but we're ready to discuss a solution at any time," she said.
When news of the dispute went public at the beginning of the week, there was evidence of increased buying at petrol stations. Some unpaid staff, however, will remain at Grangemouth to provide safety cover during the strike.
EXTRA FUEL SUPPLIES 5,700 tonnes of diesel and kerosene on the Antares from Teesport10,000 tonnes of diesel on the BIT Octania from Gothenburg12-14,000 tonnes of diesel on the Alsterstern from Amsterdam1,850 tonnes of motorspirit on the Audacity from Immingham14,000 tonnes of diesel on the Anefani from Rotterdam4,000 tonnes of diesel and kerosene on the Humber Fisher from Teesport14,000 tonnes of diesel on the Bro Developer from Rotterdam The Forties Pipeline, which provides 30% of the UK's daily oil output from the North Sea and which is powered by the Grangemouth site, is due to have shut by 0600 BST, BP said.
Oil and Gas UK said the closure of the pipeline would cost the UK economy £50m in lost production - and accused both sides of holding the country to ransom.
But Ineos, which operates Grangemouth, said the union was to blame for the pipeline's closure.
"Their position is very clear, that they will provide steam and other utilities to keep the plant safe, but not for production," said general manager Gordon Grant.
Extra fuel
Some garages across Scotland have reported running out of fuel, some have introduced rationing and others have increased prices.Some garages across Scotland have reported running out of fuel, some have introduced rationing and others have increased prices.
In order to meet demand, about 65,000 tonnes of fuel - or about 10 days' worth of mostly diesel - will arrive over the next few days on seven tankers from ports across Europe. But on Saturday evening the Scottish Government announced that about 65,000 tonnes of fuel, mostly diesel - said to be about 10 days' worth - will arrive over the next few days on seven tankers from ports across Europe.
Included in the convoy will be four major shipments from Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Gothenburg. By pulling together we can reduce and minimise the inconvenience and disruption Scotland faces Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond Business Secretary John Hutton said there was enough petrol and diesel in Scotland "to last through this period and beyond" as long as motorists did not change their habits.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said he welcomed the "unprecedented scale of the industry's response". Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said there would no doubt be some difficulties with fuel supplies "through the early part of the week before Grangemouth reopens".
Mr Salmond added: "Supplies are still flowing across the country ahead of these arrivals. "However, the required fuel for Scotland is on the way," he said.
"This will provide extra reassurance for consumers and businesses alike as we look ahead to the coming working week. Mr Salmond urged people to act responsibly - and asked public sector staff not to take unnecessary journeys and to use public transport.
'Act responsibly' "By pulling together we can reduce and minimise the inconvenience and disruption Scotland faces," he said.
"No doubt there will be some difficulties through the early part of the week as we await the reopening of the Grangemouth facility. Ineos has said it will still take two or three weeks to get Grangemouth back up and running, once the strike is over.
"However, the required fuel for Scotland is on the way.
"There is a job to do to keep Scotland moving and we are absolutely focused on that. In the meantime, all of us can help to maintain supplies by acting responsibly."
Mr Salmond also urged public sector staff not to take unnecessary journeys and to use public transport.
On Saturday, Business Secretary John Hutton said he had spoken to both plant bosses and union officials.
He insisted it was important to avoid unnecessary damage to the wider oil and gas economy in Scotland.
Mr Hutton added: "It is wrong to cause this much disruption to the Scottish people and the Scottish economy.
"It is in no-one's interest to affect North Sea oil production."