The conflict between National Administration of Fuel, Alcohol and Portland (Ancap) and their union continues to write new chapters in the run-up to the representative assembly that the union will have today to decide how to continue the plan to fight against the association of the state oil company of Uruguay to a private in the Portland business. In this context, a ship with diesel for Ancap could not unload due to ongoing force measures.
The stop at the refinery The Tile —which has been without operations to carry out maintenance tasks since last September 4— means that, to guarantee the supply of fuel in the domestic market, Ancap I should import it. This situation, which was originally going to occur for one month, could be extended for up to four months due to the decision of the Ancap Federation (Fancap) to work according to regulations and not work overtime while the stoppage lasts.
However, the high level of union conflict in the state oil company meant that the imported fuel: the tanker Front Pollock, with flag of Marshall Islands, had to leave the country with his full load of diesel, about 50,000 cubic meters.
The ship had arrived last week in the area of San Ignacio —where crude oil is usually received— with the cargo for Ancap, but the union measures prevented the towing operation necessary to store the cargo in the oil company’s tanks at the facilities. Eastern Terminal, as originally planned. For this reason, he left the country yesterday heading to Argentina the same way it arrived.
In this regard, the president of Ancap, Alejandro Stipanicic, He maintained that Front Pollock would return after fulfilling “other commitments.” “If the ship is in Argentina we do not have a fine and by unloading there we are exempt from damages to other clients,” he stated, in dialogue with El Observador.
This is because delays in the unloading of imported fuel generate fines in favor of supplier companies, while they see their work scheme altered. Therefore, each day that the tanker remained in the port without news, implied greater expenses for Ancap.
Ancap will deduct salaries from workers
According to Stipanicic, Fancap is breaching the agreement for maritime operations with its union measures that, at the moment, remain in force and unchanged. It includes compensations and extra hours that are not being carried out.
For this reason, the board of directors of the state oil company decided to take action in this regard. “Today we communicate the salary discount for every day since last Wednesday, when the summons for shipment with adequate operating conditions was in the unloading window committed by the seller, and until the vessel can unload,” explained Stipanicic.
“Refusing to discharge is a violation of the specific agreement for the operation of Terminal del Este tugboats,” he added.
Source: Ambito
