More importers use Feruka pipeline

Fuel importers had been shunning the pipeline opting instead for road transport due to various challenges that had been associated with using the conduit.
This prompted the Government to introduce a $0,04 per litre road fuel levy to induce importers to utilise the pipeline.
Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy on Monday that measures implemented by Government had resulted in increased utilisation.
“As Government we took measures that we should use the pipeline and we have been successful,” he said.
“We are nearing capacity of 130 million litres and in January we pumped 120 million litres.”
Minister Mangoma said last year one billion litres of fuel passed through the pipeline, up from 400 million litres pumped in 2010.
He said they were aiming to increase the carrying capacity of the pipe to 180 million litres in the short term.
“We are also seriously considering talking to an investor for a second pipeline. We think a new pipeline should be operational within two or three years.
“Although the plan is still in its infancy we have already indicated to Mozambique that we want a new pipeline,” he said.
Minister Mangoma said the Mabvuku fuel storage facility had close to 20 million litres of stock.
“Although as Government the fuel that we have that we can use in the event that we experience pumping problems from Mozambique is just less than 10 million litres.”
The 287km pipeline stretches from Beira in Mozambique to Feruka oil refinery outside Mutare.
The Government controls 21km of the line while Mozambique controls the rest.
Low water levels at Beira sometimes prevent ships from docking causing delays in movement of the fuel. – New Ziana.