Suggestions that Transnet was to blame for fuel shortages at OR Tambo International Airport were dismissed by the parastatal on 5 August, according to a South African Press Association (Sapa) report. “The issues behind the shortage are part of a process between an inland refinery and Ortia [OR Tambo International Airport],” spokesperson John Dludlu was quoted saying.

“Dludlu said Transnet Freight Rail’s (TFR) service from the coast was temporarily interrupted in the last few weeks by ‘some operational issues which have since been addressed. Consequently, the rail service has been normalised and TFR is now delivering to weekly orders. Several news agencies have attributed the tight fuel supply to so-called delivery problems by Transnet Limited including a supposed temporary shutdown of the fuel pipeline and a multi-product pipeline.’


“He said TPL – the petroleum and gas pipeline division – had been operating as normal, and that it had been transporting fuel in line with the orders that were placed. TPL did temporarily shut down the pipeline between a Sasolburg refinery and the airport on 4 August as there was insufficient supply from the refinery. This move allowed sufficient stocks to be built up at the refinery which is jointly owned by clients Sasol and Total.

“’For the record,’ Dludlu said, this was a planned shutdown. Last night [4 August], we resumed operations after stock build-up. Transnet is a freight transport company, not a fuel producer, we don’t own product. If there’s product, we will move it. We have sufficient infrastructure capacity to meet demand to move what is supplied to us.’

“Energy Minister Dipuo Peters will on Thursday [6 August] meet the Airports Company of SA (Acsa) and oil companies over reduced fuel reserves at OR Tambo Airport. The aim of the meeting is to understand from Transnet and Acsa what had led to the shortage at Africa’s biggest airport. Acsa spokesperson Solomon Makgale said airlines at the continent’s 
busiest airport had been asked to voluntarily cut back fuel use by 30%.”

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