Partner Article

BP pulls out of Sunderland

The North East is set to lose out on a major oil contract after fuel giant BP confirmed plans to abandon its operation in Sunderland.

Seven jobs are also under threat after the firm, which operates Sunderland Oil Storage – a joint-venture with oil and gas firm Chevron – decided to shut down the facility at the Port of Sunderland.

Fuel tankers use the terminal at Hendon Dock to offload oil products from refineries in the UK, mainly petrol and diesel, which is then carried by road to filling stations in the region.

The decision will also see the Port of Sunderland miss out on fees paid by tanker ships calling at the dock, and raises questions over the future of the Sunderland-based fleet of tanker trucks and their drivers.

A spokeswoman for BP said its employees at the terminal had been informed of the closure plans.

“We have been carrying out a review of the facility taking into account all factors and have decided to cease operations at the terminal, subject to relevant approval,” she said.

“BP will continue to provide fuel to customers in the area from alternative facilities. Chevron will be doing the same.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .