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Ships bring extra oil amid strike Ships bring extra oil amid strike
(about 6 hours later)
Additional supplies of fuel have begun arriving in Scotland to cope with the Grangemouth strike oil refinery strike. Extra fuel supplies have started arriving in Scotland, to make up for possible shortages caused by the Grangemouth strike.
More than 1,000 staff at Scotland's only oil refinery walked out for 48 hours on Sunday amid a pensions row. Hundreds of staff at Scotland's only oil refinery are beginning the second day of a two-day strike over pensions.
UK and Scottish ministers have urged the two sides to meet again in a bid to resolve the dispute. Two out of seven fuel tankers heading to Grangemouth with extra fuel have already arrived in the Forth.
A tanker laden with 3,000 tonnes of diesel and kerosene docked in Aberdeen on Sunday evening. Two other tankers were also expected to dock on Sunday. There had been fears of fuel shortages, but only a handful of filling stations are reported to have run out.
Additional shipments will also arrive in the Forth into the early part of next week, containing nearly 65,000 tonnes of fuel, to provide 10 days' worth. The Scottish Government said that by midday on Saturday, only five of Scotland's 956 filling stations were out of fuel, with 70 partly out of fuel.
BP today said people had heeded the warnings and were not panic buying fuel, although the strike has had an impact on the availability of petrol and diesel in Scotland. However, it warned that there could be problems at the beginning of the week as they waited to be replenished.
Grangemouth staff walked out at 0600 BST, before picketing the refinery and holding a rally.
They will continue their walkout on Monday.
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 RotterdamEXTRA 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 also caused the closure of BP's key Forties oil pipeline, which provides 30% of the UK's daily oil output from the North Sea. In total, the seven tankers due to arrive within the first few days of the week contain nearly 65,000 tonnes of fuel - said to be about 10 days' worth.
Refinery operator Ineos and the Unite union both agreed it was a "sad day" for Grangemouth, but they have yet to agree fresh talks to resolve the dispute. The third, carrying 3,000 tonnes of diesel and kerosene from Grangemouth, arrived at Aberdeen on Sunday evening, although fog was preventing it from coming in to port.
Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, said: "What must happen now is that the two parties engage in discussions to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible." Grangemouth staff walked out at 0600 BST on Sunday, and are not due to return until 0600 BST on Tuesday.
He went on: "From across Europe, unprecedented supplies of additional fuel are arriving over the coming days to make up for the loss of production at Grangemouth. The strike has also closed BP's key Forties oil pipeline, which provides 30% of the UK's daily oil output from the North Sea.
"This will provide extra reassurance for consumers and businesses alike as we look ahead to the coming working week." Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has called for both sides in the dispute to hold talks to resolve it as quickly as possible.
News of the strike sparked a period of increased buying - leaving some of Scotland's 956 filling station forecourts short.
HAVE YOUR SAY People are panic buying fuel and there are shortages here already Kerrie, Peterhead Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY People are panic buying fuel and there are shortages here already Kerrie, Peterhead Send us your comments
The Scottish Government said that by midday on Saturday, five were out of fuel and 70 were partly out of fuel - but warned there may be problems at the beginning of next week as they waited to be replenished. However, refinery operator Ineos and the Unite union have yet to agree fresh talks.
Industry body Oil and Gas UK has said the strike could cost the UK £50m a day in lost oil production. Ineos general manager Gordon Grant said the company's current contribution to employees' pensions was "unsustainable".
Ineos general manager Gordon Grant said the company's current contribution to employees' pensions was "unsustainable", adding that Grangemouth needed £750m investment - or jobs would be jeopardised in a competitive sector.
He said: "We bent over backwards to try and avoid this strike but, unfortunately, the trade unions have decided to go ahead with it - premature in our view - but that's what they've done."He said: "We bent over backwards to try and avoid this strike but, unfortunately, the trade unions have decided to go ahead with it - premature in our view - but that's what they've done."
The oil workers have taken out a series of adverts in the Scottish media on Monday to explain the reasons for their strike and to ask for their understanding. Pat Rafferty, from Unite, told the BBC that members were still willing to speak to management and claimed the public had given the striking workers a lot of support.
Pat Rafferty, from the union Unite, told the BBC that members were still willing to speak with management and claimed the public had given the striking workers a lot of support.
He said: "We've been backed into a corner a bit by the stance the company's taking. It's something we've got no pleasure out of and that's been reflected in our members walking out."He said: "We've been backed into a corner a bit by the stance the company's taking. It's something we've got no pleasure out of and that's been reflected in our members walking out."
Douglas Robertson, chief executive of the Scottish Motor Trade Association, which represents petrol retailers in Scotland, said members of the public were unnecessarily stocking up on fuel and putting supplies at risk. The oil workers have taken out a series of adverts in the Scottish media on Monday to explain the reasons for their strike and to ask for their understanding.