MBIE clarifies fuel data, showing far more diesel and jet fuel, adds extra shipment

New Zealand will have more diesel arriving in country before Easter than thought yesterday, according to clarified data published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on Thursday.

Earlier data published on Wednesday showed 18.1 days’ worth of diesel in the country with only a small amount due before Easter, which would have left New Zealand with just over 11 days’ supply by Easter Sunday. The stocks were accurate as of midnight Sunday.

This would have left New Zealand with just over 11 days’ worth of diesel by Easter Sunday. The stocks were accurate as of midnight on Sunday.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) updated fuel stocks show that New Zealand has 46.4 days’ cover of diesel here or coming in the period up to April 12.

If normal consumption continues, stocks would drop to 25.4 days’ cover of diesel by April 12, the week after Easter.

Overall, New Zealand has about two more days’ cover of all fuels than the data showed yesterday, with a combined stock of 48.6 days.

The MBIE clarification includes an additional column showing ships that are “discharging” fuel in New Zealand.

Its latest data show that there are currently six ships discharging fuel in New Zealand’s ports, carrying 19.8 days’ cover of petrol, 11.6 days of diesel and 11.7 days of jet fuel.

These stocks had been included in the “on water” column on Wednesday, but not as ships visiting New Zealand in the next fortnight, leading many to think the fuel was en route and would arrive after Easter – when it was already here.

Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen, who spotted the apparent diesel shortage, said it was “encouraging” the data was clarified.

“There’s now an extra nearly 16 days’ worth [of diesel] that is either currently being discharged or coming in before the 29th of March – that is a pretty significant difference,” he said.

“We’re not nearly as worried as we were this time yesterday about the potential crunch, particularly on diesel.”

The ministry also clarified the arrival times of ships. On Wednesday, one ship was said to be arriving March 23-29. This ship has now arrived and is discharging.

A new ship has been added to the row arriving between March 23 and March 29. This ship was previously expected to arrive prior to March 23, but as of midnight on Sunday was expected to arrive on March 23.

A ship has also been added to the arrivals between April 6 and 12. This new data increases New Zealand’s jet fuel stocks on water by 9.9 days.