Situated off the French coast, with an area of around 65 km2 and a population of about 63,000, the British Channel Island of Guernsey is a logistics challenge because recent changes to its infrastructure no longer allow LPG supply tankers to dock.
Critical infrastructure logistics
To guarantee a reliable supply of energy to the island’s population, HOYER uses road tankers to collect product from UK refineries and deliver it to the port for loading onto a cargo ferry and shipping to the port of Guernsey, from where their client and partner IEG takes over for onward delivery.
HOYER carries out the entire management of these critical infrastructure logistics. Jonathan Lawrence, operations director Hoyer Gas and Petroleum Logistics UK, said: “From managing the inventory, loading the product at LPG storage depots, delivering it to the ferry, we work closely with our customer on the island to ensure that the onward delivery is properly coordinated.
“It makes us proud to know that we can support the supply to an entire island, and we are fully conscious of this responsibility.”
LPG logistics essential for Guernsey
The transport operation is undertaken by personnel specially trained in how to handle both the product and HOYER’s specialist equipment. To ensure smooth handover to IEG, the road tankers are also fitted with a global positioning system to enable the transfer on Guernsey to be synchronised transparently and optimally.
LPG liquefied gas consists mainly of propane and butane, and is thus classified as dangerous goods. Consequently, it is subject to special transport and handling requirements. The gas is considered to be more environmentally friendly than petrol and diesel, because its combustion produces lower emissions. LPG is used as a source of energy, both to supply heat to housing units and as a fuel for gas cookers and to power motor vehicles. Safe, reliable LPG logistics is thus essential for Guernsey.