Two decrees exceptionally authorizing the transport of hydrocarbons this weekend and Monday and temporarily easing the constraints on driving time for drivers in this sector were published in the Official Journal on Saturday, in the face of shortages in many service stations.
In view of the "tensions on the supply of fuel observed on national territory", the bans on the circulation of transport vehicles of more than 7.5 tonnes provided for by a previous decree of April 2021 were lifted for the 8, 9 and October 10, 2022, for “vehicles for transporting hydrocarbon products, with the exception of butane, propane and gases for industrial use”.
In addition, “the empty return of the vehicles mentioned” is “authorized for these days when the ban on national territory is lifted”.
The second decree published on Saturday provides for "temporary derogations" to "exceeding the maximum daily driving time within the limit of one hour" and to "exceeding the maximum weekly driving time within the limit of four hours" for transport fuel.
This, until Friday, October 14 inclusive.
90 days of consumption
On Friday evening, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition had announced that a decree “relating to the lifting of fuel transport traffic bans for this weekend” would be published, as well as another on “flexibility on the times of conduct” to facilitate replenishment.
"France has 90 days of consumption in strategic stocks throughout its territory and the supply prospects for the weeks and months to come make it possible to rule out any risk of a lasting shortage", had also wanted to reassure the ministry.
Emmanuel Macron on Friday called on motorists to "calm" as several factors, including a strike at TotalEnergies refineries, led to a drop in fuel deliveries and therefore many stock-outs of gasoline or diesel at service stations.
“The rebate caused ruptures”
The group puts the disturbances on the account of the success of the discount at the pump of 20 centimes which it grants since September 1, in addition to the rebate of the State of 30 centimes.
“The rebate caused more marked supply disruptions at Total”, with a situation “more marked in Hauts-de-France (…) because we have cross-border workers who came to take advantage of prices at the pump and aid which has been put in place by the government, ”commented the Minister for Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu, on Saturday on France Info.
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TotalEnergies
Christophe Bechu
Fuels
Hydrocarbons
Strike