Soaring Diesel Prices Put British Fishing Vessels Under Pressure

British fishermen are facing growing pressure from soaring marine diesel prices across the UK, with some vessels finding it increasingly difficult to justify the cost of leaving port.

Marine diesel is currently reported at around £1.15 per litre, having more than doubled in six months. For an industry heavily dependent on fuel, the increase is putting significant pressure on the economics of individual fishing trips.

While British operators face these rising costs, fishing businesses across the Channel in France have received direct financial assistance to help absorb higher fuel prices.

Middle East Conflict Pushes Up Fuel Costs

The surge in diesel prices comes amid continuing instability in the Middle East and disruption to global energy supplies.

Concerns have been heightened further by the possibility of restrictions on US diesel exports. Britain is particularly exposed to changes in international diesel supply because of its reliance on imported fuel.

For an industry as dependent on diesel as commercial fishing, these international events can quickly translate into substantially higher operating costs.

French Fishermen Receive Support

The French Government have a fuel support scheme from Brussels, which is work about 35 cents (30p) per litre, making it more worthwhile and cheaper for french fishing vessels so head out to sea.

For British fishing vessels and fishermen watching competing vessels continue to operate in and around UK waters, the difference in financial support has become a major source of frustration.

When Going Fishing Stops Making Financial Sense

The problem isn’t simply the cost of filling a vessel’s tanks.

Fishing vessels can consume substantial quantities of diesel travelling to fishing grounds, operating machinery and working for extended periods at sea.

Some types of fishing are particularly fuel intensive. Scallop vessels, for example, may need to travel significant distances to reach productive grounds before using engine power to tow dredging equipment across the seabed.

As diesel prices rise, more distant fishing grounds can become increasingly difficult to justify financially.

A trip still needs to cover fuel, crew, maintenance and other operating costs before it produces a return. A sharp increase in one of those largest expenses can quickly turn a profitable trip into an uneconomic one.

Thousands of Pounds of Diesel Onboard

The figures become particularly stark when applied to the amount of fuel a commercial fishing vessel may carry.

At £1.15 per litre:

10,000 litres = £11,500

20,000 litres = £23,000

50,000 litres = £57,500

For operators already facing pressure on margins, that makes the condition of the diesel already onboard increasingly important.

Fuel affected by water, sludge, deposits or microbial contamination can contribute to blocked filters, dirty fuel systems and additional maintenance.

When the fuel itself is becoming substantially more expensive, avoiding preventable deterioration and contamination matters too.

Where V25 Fuel Treatment Can Help

V25 cannot bring down the price of marine diesel.

What it can do is help fishing operators look after the increasingly valuable fuel they already have onboard.

V25 physically conditions diesel, helping manage water and disperse agglomerations and deposits while supporting fuel stability. Its added lubricity properties help support pumps and injection equipment, while cleaner injectors and improved atomisation support more complete combustion.

It is not a biocide, is non-hazardous, vegetal-derived, ashless and metal-free, and can become part of a vessel’s regular bunkering routine. 

At the standard dosage, just 1 litre of V25 treats up to 10,000 litres of diesel.

With British fishing vessels & fishermen facing an increasingly difficult battle against fuel costs, every opportunity to maintain fuel quality, minimise avoidable contamination and support effective combustion deserves consideration.

When every litre costs more, every litre matters.

Premier Fuel Solutions supplies V25 to British fishing vessels throughout the UK and internationally.

One Solution From Tank to Funnel.