Middle East conflict: government reassuring logistics sector on fuel supply resilience

Logistics UK is engaging with government on fuel supply resilience following developments in the Middle East. Officials from the Department for Transport (DfT) and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) joined a meeting of the Alliance of Logistics Trade Associations (ALTA)* on 18 March to share insight on the situation, and regular meetings of these organisations have been established.

Government is reassuring industry that the UK benefits from strong and diverse security of fuel supplies, that it is monitoring stocks and sales closely and that production and imports are continuing across the UK as normal.

The government has also reassured that contingency planning in this area is well established, and that it has a range of measures it can use in the unlikely event that normal supply chains become disrupted from any cause.

Logistics UK has underlined to government the importance of timely and clear communication with the industry when required. We have also reiterated our call for the Chancellor to focus on bolstering business confidence and supply chain resilience, including by reviewing her decision to begin increasing fuel duty this year, to prevent further inflationary pressure at a time when the global economy is so disrupted.

Logistics UK’s CEO Ben Fletcher said: “While the situation in the Middle East is understandably causing concern, it is reassuring that government continues to confirm the UK’s fuel supply remains resilient, with strong and diverse sources in place.

“Our members depend on reliable access to fuel to keep goods moving across the economy, so ongoing monitoring and clear communication from government are essential. We will continue working closely with officials to ensure the logistics sector is fully informed and prepared.

“At the same time, it is vital that policy decisions support, rather than hinder, supply chain resilience — particularly at a time of global uncertainty. Reviewing planned increases in fuel duty would be an important step in maintaining business confidence and avoiding additional inflationary pressure.”

Call with CBI Tuesday 24 March – may inform our messaging RE the Middle East conflict

Read our latest Middle East update here Middle East conflict: impact on logistics | Logistics UK

*ALTA, of which Logistics UK is a member, is a collaboration of 12 trade bodies with a shared common purpose to advance the interests of the logistics industry and the wider economy.