Tonga
3.1 Tonga Fuel

There are 2 major companies marketing and supplying fuel in Tonga, Total and Pacific Energy SWP Limited (PE SWP). Total is major multinational. Fiji based Pacific Energy has operated for over 65 years and maintains strong links with Shell through a supply agreement and technical assistance. Since early 2009 a local Tongan company (Vatu) has been supplying the Ha’apai group of islands direct from Fiji using their own LCT (Local Coastal Tankers). The Niuas are supplied with drums from Tongatapu.

Total and Pacific Energy have terminal facilities 0.5 n.m. east of Queen Salote Wharf. Currently, tankers discharge just outside the reef directly offshore from the terminals using a Mediterranean mooring system, Accommodate local coastal tankers, typically LOA 80m., max draft 5.0m., 3.000gt. Cargo transfer is by flexible hose between a permanent manifold by one of the dolphins and vessels manifold. Handles products at a rate of 200 m3. / hr. The port handles approx. 40-50 million litres of petroleum products per year. Total’s storage capacity is 1,155,670 litres. BP has storage capacity for 464,310 litres

The companies use a similar supply route. Tonga’s volume is included in regional demand, combining with volume for Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and other Pacific Islands (as applicable for each company). This allows the supply to be bulked up into suitable cargo sized volumes (30,000 tonnes/40 million litres) that can be supplied from the Singapore market, the main trading and export refining centre in the Asia-Pacific region. The larger ships (Medium Range Tankers) are not currently able to call in Tonga so Tonga’s volume is included in Fiji’s supply and delivered to Fiji’s Vuda terminal. From Vuda it is loaded on much smaller vessels (Local Coastal Tankers - LCT) for shipping to Tonga.  Whilst supply of fuel has generally been consistant, there was a disruption to  Vava’u supply for several weeks during 2016 due to delays experienced by Pacific Energy in its replacement of the normal LCT with a bigger vessel.

Fuel Storage

Total and Pacific Energy operate a 30 day reserve.

BP (Pacific Energy SWP Limited) storage capacity:

Total’s fuel storage capacity:

The largest single consumer of petroleum fuel is Tonga Power which uses diesel for electricity generation. Total has the contract to supply this. As a resul, diesel is the most significant product supplied to the market. Jet fuel/kerosene is only supplied to Tongatapu. The typical splits between grades are as follows (total Tongan demand):

Product

Approximate volume

        (mll litres)

    Proportion

Petrol

13.1

27%

Jet/Kerosene

5.3/0.2

11%

Diesel (non –power)

16.1

33%

Diesel (power) 1

4.2

29%

Total

48.9

 

 

The energy sector has been identified as one of the infrastructure sectors at greatest risk from the impacts of climate change and natural disasters In the longer term, particularly because of its reliance on diesel fuel, consideration will have to be given to initiatives to reduce this vulnerability, for instance by moving bulk fuel storage facilities on Tongatapu to a new location outside of the tsunami and storm surge risk zone

For information on Tonga fuel provider contact details, please see the following links: 

4.7 Tonga Fuel Provider Contact List

4.1 Tonga Government Contact List

Information may also be found at: http://www.mytravelcost.com/petrol-prices/ which is updated monthly. 

Fuel Pricing

The cost of petroleum fuel in Tonga is made up of four main components; the cost of the fuel on the international market, the cost of the supply route to get it to Tonga, supplying companies operating costs and recovery on their investment and taxes and levies applied by Authorities and the Government of Tonga. 

The cost of petroleum fuel in Tonga is made up of four main components:

- cost of the fuel on the international market                                                  (44%)

- cost of the supply route to get it to Tonga                                                    (  9%)

- supplying companies operating costs and recovery on their investment    (  9%)

- taxes and levies applied by Authorities and the Government of Tonga.     (38%)

Fuel Prices per Litre as of: 04/11/2016

(local currency and USD - $)

Range in fuel prices is Nuku’alofa (capital) to Niua’s (outer islands)

Petrol

T$ 2.18 - $T 2.80     (US$ 0.99 - US$ 1.31)

Diesel

T$ 2.12 - $T 2.82     (US$ 0.96 – US$ 1.28)

Paraffin

T$ 1.40 – T$ 2-02    (US$ 0.64 – US$ 0.92)

Jet A-1

 T$ 1.85                             (US$ 0.84)

Seasonal Variations 

There are no seasonal variations. Price is Government controlled.

Seasonal Variations

Are there national priorities in the availability of fuel? (i.e. are there restrictions or priorities for the provision of fuel such as to the military?)

Total have a priority to supply Tonga Power. Otherwise there are no priorities

Is there a rationing system?

No

Is fuel to lower income / vulnerable groups subsidized?

No

Can the local industry expand fuel supply to meet humanitarian needs?

Yes

Is it possible for a humanitarian organization to directly contract a reputable supplier / distributor to provide its fuel needs?

Yes

Fuel Transportation

Internal transportation of fuel products is carried out by trucks:

-Total:

2 tankers on Togatapu with total carrying capicity of 45,000 L

1 tanker x 14,000 L on each of Ha’apai and Vava’u Islands

- Pacific Energy:

5 tankers on Tongatapu with total capacity of 100,000 L

1 tanker of 14,000 L on each of Ha’apai and Vava’u Islands

 

Tonga Power’s LCT Vessel is used to transport bulk fuel for its own use from Togatapu to Ha’apai and Vava’u. Other fuel tot the outer islands is transported by drum or IBC (1,500 L).

 

The transportation infrastructure and fleet is sufficient to handle current domestic needs as welll as increased demand from the humanitarian community.

Standards, Quality and Testing

Both fuel suppliers to Tonga adhere to International Standards of fuel quality as required by the Fiji Government, which is the transhipment point for each of them. They have onsite laboratories in Tonga at their storage depots and strict quality control is enforced.

Industry Control Measures

Do tanks have adequate protection against water mixing with the fuel?

Yes

Are there filters in the system which monitor where fuel is loaded into aircraft?

Yes

Is there adequate epoxy coating of tanks on trucks?

Yes

Is there a presence of suitable firefighting equipment?

Yes

Standards Authority

Is there a national or regional standards authority?

No, however Fuel is imported via Fiji and standards are to Fiji National Standards

If yes, please identify the appropriate national and/or regional authority.

National: To Fiji National Standard

ie. diesel /500ppm gasoline /45 RON

Regional: Fiji Outer Islands Standard (as above)

If yes, are the standards adequate/properly enforced?

Yes

Testing Laboratories

Are there national testing laboratories?

Total and Pacific Energy have their own laboratories on site

 

Fuel Quality Testing Laboratory

Company

Total

Name 

Total Testing Laboratory

Address

Vuna Road, Nuku’alofa Tonga

Telephone and Fax

Tel.+676 24509

Fax. +676 24909

Contact

Jese Tikomailepanoni

Standards Used

Asia Pacific Fuel Quality Standards

 

Fuel Quality Testing Laboratory

Company

Pacific Energy Ltd

Name 

Pacific Energy Testing Laboratory

Address

Vuna Road, Nuku’alofa Tonga

Telephone and Fax

Tel. 22511

Fax. 23572

Contact

Paula Taufa

Standards Used

Asia Pacific Fuel Quality Standards

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

 

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