Recommendations for fuel consumers

In a situation where fuel supply to Estonia has become insufficient, difficulties with supply have arisen, and the government has decided to release the national stockpile, the Estonian Stockpiling Agency will make it available to all fuel sellers based on their market share.

Fuel released from the national stockpile for consumption is transported by the fuel companies to filling stations. When releasing the national stockpile, the regular supply channels remain the same for the end consumers of the fuel.

To all companies and organisations who depend on motor fuel for their operations:

• The responsible behaviour is to hold the minimum amount of fuel at the place of consumption to ensure fast response and initial resilience during a crisis.
• We recommend that larger fuel consumers conclude agreements with fuel companies to ensure supply. Concluding agreements with fuel sellers helps an organisation to prepare for and agree on steps to be taken during a crisis, the manner of transporting fuel to the place of consumption, and to stipulate the obligations of both parties.
• In the case of a smaller need for fuel, concluding a separate agreement with fuel sellers is not necessary, but we still recommend to consider ahead of time how, where, and under which conditions the availability of fuel is ensured for your organisation in the case of an interruption of vital services:
   
  • you have acquired payment cards for various filling station chains ahead of time, allowing to buy on credit and functioning when payment solutions requiring a communication link are not working;

  • you have a sufficient amount of cash to pay for fuel at a filling station when the electronic means of payment do not work;

  • you have mapped and know the location of filling stations with autonomous power supply in your area, which are capable of selling fuel even in the event of a major power cut.

The resilience of the public in various crises depends on the behaviour of each of us and the example we set. The primary responsibility for ensuring the continuity of an organisation or a company always lies with the organisation itself. During a crisis, the state and local governments are better able to help those who are more prepared.

Although the needs of individual organisations differ in a crisis, the challenges can be overcome by relying on shared knowledge and wisdom. A critical attitude when assessing one’s capabilities, smooth exchange of information, cooperation with various partners, and consulting with the local government, the Estonian Rescue Board, or the Estonian Stockpiling Agency is always a good choice.