Shipping delay leads to gas shortages across Newfoundland

A shipping delay has left several gas stations across Newfoundland without fuel heading into the weekend, but somehave reported being without fuel for most of the week.

Joe Brewer, the mayor of Southern Harbour and owner of the town's gas station, saidhis tanks have been empty of gas and diesel since Monday afternoon.

"This is Day 4 with no gas," Brewer saidFriday afternoon."It hasbeen tormenting on us. It's tormenting on everybody. It's frustrating on the people of the community."

Brewer said he knows of at least 14 other gas stations without fuel.

Supply issues have been reported as far east as St. John's, and Brewer saidresidents of Southern Harbour now have to drive about 20 minutes to reach a station with fuel.

In an email to CBC News, Irving Oil saida "brief vessel delay"led to the supply issues. The companyexpects a return to normal deliveries in the next few days.

Brewer said he's been told the ship carrying the gasolineis expected to dock on Sunday, whichmeans he may have to wait until Monday or Tuesday for his station to be refilled.

With the number of gas stations without fuelbeing so high, Brewer said he believes supply problems could continue.

"It's not only me, it's the whole island," he said.

"So when the ship [does] get in, and with the number of people who [are] out of gas, it's only a ship of gas. So once everybody gets topped up, you're going to be in the same situation within the next week or two."

Brewer said this is the longest he hasbeen without gas, adding shortages this long aren't common.

He said hisstation was previously able to get fuel from the Come By Chance oil refinery, but that has changed since the refinery was converted to produce biofuels.

He said he'dlike to see the provincial government take the necessary steps to ensure that supply issues don't become frequent.

"We can't get no gas, and it's affecting the business," he said.

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