Tanker trucks supplying gas stations and oil depots, several of which were blocked this week by protesters against soaring fuel prices, are allowed to run on weekends until April 10, according to a published order this Saturday, March 19 in the Official Journal.
“The bans on the circulation of goods transport vehicles of more than 7.5 tonnes (….) are lifted until Sunday April 10, 2022 inclusive, for vehicles transporting hydrocarbon products, with the exception of butane , propane and gases for industrial use”, indicates the decree.
Noting the “situation of blockage of certain oil terminals, refineries, as well as depots of petroleum products, within the framework of a social movement”, the text underlines “the strategic and urgent nature for the national economy of the supply distribution points and users of hydrocarbon products affected by this situation and the consequences likely to result from a shortage of these products”.
The shutdown thus allows “supply between oil depots as well as from oil depots to distribution points and end customers”.
The empty return of the vehicles concerned is also authorized for these days when the ban on national territory is lifted.
Oil depots blocked this week
Several oil depots were blocked this week, particularly in Brittany, by demonstrators demanding more help in the face of soaring fuel prices linked to the war in Ukraine.
On the other hand, another decree published on Saturday in the Official Journal extends until June 19 included the authorization for weekend circulation of heavy goods vehicles transporting humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
At the beginning of March, this authorization was first announced for the weekends of March 5-6 and 12-13.
It concerns humanitarian convoys of goods destined for Ukraine or neighboring countries, with the exception of Russia and Belarus, as well as vehicles traveling “to places where said goods are grouped on national territory”.
In the context of the two orders, the drivers of the vehicles concerned must be able to justify the conformity of their load in the event of an inspection.
(With AFP)
–
