Tankers which bring fuel to island sold

Tankers used to bring fuel to Guernsey have been sold as there is "no longer a case" for owning them, officials have said.

The Sarnia Cherie and Sarnia Liberty were bought by the island's government in 2008 to secure imports of oil, petrol and diesel making it through to St Sampson's Harbour.

States Trading Supervisory Board (STSB) said following a review commissioned by the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure, it had been decided to "dispose of the tankers" due to the availability of other boats.

It added the sale is expected to pay for the loan used to buy the vessels, which STSB said were due to reach the end of their operating life in 2027 and 2028.

STSB President Mark Helyar said the boats had been bought due to the limited availability of "suitable commercial vessels that could discharge safely at St Sampson's Harbour" at the time.

The harbour, which dries out at low tide, is only accessible by vessels which are specially designed to rest on the seabed when required.

"Since then, other vessels have entered the market and are regularly delivering to Guernsey," Helyar added.

"There is therefore no longer a case for owning fuel tankers to maintain our security of supply."

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