Fuel Oil News May 2020 | Page 3

Whenever challenged the industry delivers “We are all experiencing the effects of Covid-19 differently. We want to know how people are feeling now and see how that changes after Covid-19 has passed. Some will cope well and get back on their feet quickly, but others won’t.” The words of Professor David Porteous, Principal Investigator for Generation Scotland at University of Edinburgh, who has launched a survey to assess the impact of the virus. Two months back, coronavirus was a growing threat. Today it is the dominant matter in all our lives. Many of the policies and plans top of the agenda even a few short weeks ago, now seem secondary concerns when compared to the immediate priorities of getting to the other side and then recovering as best we can. For many in the UK the only day of the week recognised with any certainty is Thursday – a day that has become synonymous with an outbreak of applause in appreciation of those working on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus. For the last five weeks up and down the country, people have turned out with pots, pans and passion aplenty to stand in solidarity, embracing a movement that has become a poignant focal point. But, whilst much of the country remains in lockdown, another essential service has been extremely busy overcoming the combined challenges of maintaining essential supplies and adapting operations to a landscape that changes by the day. In this issue we look in depth at the ingenuity and resilience of the fuel oil distribution industry in the face of yet another test, which has produced some unique contributions as well as a heart-warming community response. Current events have undeniably impacted, and the turn of the year now feels like a lifetime ago. As the scenario continues to unfold, anyone confident enough to forecast how this pandemic will play out in the oil sector is a very brave person indeed. The challenge must not be underestimated but, with one distributor reminded of ‘the Beast from the East but without the snow’ this is an industry that will draw on all it has learned from previous tests leaving no doubt that it will also overcome this one. The independent voice for the fuel distribution, storage and marketing industry in the UK and Ireland. Our thoughts, and best wishes, are with all those affected – stay safe. Future heating – kerosene demand scenarios 4-5 NEWS 7, 9 INDUSTRY ANALYSIS The fuel oil distribution industry responds to Covid-19 11 INDUSTRY FOCUS An appreciative community responds to industry efforts 12 EXPO UPDATE UKIFDA looks forward to new August dates 13 IRISH NEWS How the industry is coping and what the future holds 14-15 IN CONVERSATION Staying ahead with WP Group 17 PORTLAND MARKET REPORT A time of unprecedented events 18-19 INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE A look at the wider picture of oil prices 20-21 INSIDE OUT 22 PRICING PAGE On the cover In this issue A WP Group tanker sits outside its offices in Grosvenor Square, in the heart of Southampton’s business district. Moving there in August 2018 from the long- term HQ in Fawley Oil Refinery was a big change for the business but one that came at the right time as the journey under new ownership began. See pages 14 & 15 With the tireless efforts of fuel oil distributors to maintain supplies at the same time as rising to the challenges of almost daily changes we look at some of the heart-warming stories of community appreciation on page 11 Contact us Managing director Nick Smith Managing editor Margaret Major [email protected] Content / social media executive Stephanie Samuel [email protected] Irish news Aine Faherty [email protected] Accounts & subscriptions Berni Chetham [email protected] Annual subscription for the UK & Republic of Ireland is priced at £98 or €113 inc. p&p. Overseas: £115 or €134. Back issues: £8 per copy. 01565 653283 www.fueloilnews.co.uk Founded in 1977 by James Smith Published by Ashley & Dumville Publishing, Caledonian House, Tatton Street, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6AG www.ashleyanddumville.co.uk Fuel Oil News is sold solely on condition that: (1) No part of the publication is reproduced in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without a prior written agreement with the publisher. (2) The magazine will not be circulated outside the company / organisation at the address to which it is delivered, without a prior written agreement with Ashley & Dumville Publishing. The publishers gratefully acknowledge the support of those firms whose advertisements appear throughout this publication. As a reciprocal gesture we have pleasure in drawing the attention of our readers to their announcements. It is necessary however for it to be made clear that, whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements it contains, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, or the products or services advertised. Fuel Oil News is printed on sustainable forest paper. © Ashley & Dumville Publishing. Printed by Stephens & George Print Group Tel: [phone] Volume 43 No 5 ISSN 1757-1057 Fuel Oil News | May 2020 3