Shell To Continue Fuelling South African Airports After BP’s Exit

Shell, which provides aviation, manufacturing, marine, commercial and retail fuels in South Africa, announced that it would continue supplying jet fuel at South African Airports following BP’s exit.

The global energy and petrochemical group has provided energy to South Africa since 1902. Concerns about Shell’s position had risen following BP’s decision to quit all aviation activities at South African airports last week. Shell has dismissed the concerns and plans to stay in South Africa for the foreseeable future.

Shell to continue its SA operations

Shell has been in South Africa for about 125 years and has played an essential role in the nation’s development as a premier oil company, corporate citizen, and change agent. The group’s nationwide retail network provides jet fuel at all major South African airports, including OR Tambo International and Cape Town International airports.

Photo: Rich T Photo | Shutterstock

Shell is aware of the concerns regarding its position in SA after BP’s exit. In a March 27 letter seen by News24, the group said to its aviation customers;

“Shell Downstream South Africa is aware of the concerns raised following the exit of an aviation fuel supplier locally and would like to confirm that there is no change to our local operating model. Shell remains committed to the aviation supply and operations underpinned by our business control framework, policies, and guidelines.”

The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) is confident that Shell and all other fuel suppliers will continue their operations ahead of the busy Easter holidays. PetroSA, a state-owned oil and gas company, might also enter the aviation sector, which would be a great initiative.

BP quits South Africa operations

Last week, British oil and gas company BP announced that it would quit all its aviation activities in South Africa, including refueling aircraft at the Johannesburg airport. BP quit its operations at the Cape Town airport in January and at the East London and George Airports earlier this month.

The company will end its operations at the Durban Airport at the end of April. Rumors had spread, stating that it was leaving South Africa because of the government’s relationship with Russia. BP debunked the claims stating that the exit was “a result of Air BP’s global strategy.”

Photo: Ceri Breeze/Shutterstock

Last year, News24 reported that two Russian aircraft failed to get fuel from global suppliers at the Johannesburg and Cape Town airports. This was due to the sanctions imposed on Russia by their countries of origin and their company policies, which they followed diligently.

ACSA plans to initiate a new refueling strategy to deal with situations where South Africa’s sanctioned allies are affected. The new strategy will see oil companies only supply fuel; then an independent operator will handle its distribution on ACSA’s behalf.

According to News24, ACSA strongly dismissed claims that it plans to override sanctions imposed on Russia by Western governments. Its revised fuel supply strategy goes back as long as 2020, during the pandemic and before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

What do you think of Shell’s continued support of South African aviation? Let us know in the comments!

Source: News24